Detention Officer arrested for battering inmate

Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

On the evening of April 28th, Detention Officer Jerome Ulrich was conducting inmate checks in the mental health pod when he entered a cell and battered an inmate. This incident was captured on video, as was another encounter where he made threats to the inmate. This was reported to jail officials, at which time a criminal investigation and parallel internal investigation were initiated. Ulrich was immediately suspended.

After a thorough investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division, a sworn complaint was sent to the State Attorney’s Office at their request, charging Ulrich with Battery and Obstructing Justice/Tampering with a witness.

Ulrich has been arrested and taken to jail on the charges of battery and tampering with a witness. He will go to first appearance tomorrow morning.

Sheriff Darnell stated, “Behavior like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly. I expect everyone that is in custody at the jail to be treated with respect and compassion. I will not allow this abuse on my watch.” 

Ulrich was hired in January 2008.