Deputies: Sanford police lieutenant headbutts, punches woman

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Sanford police lieutenant was arrested early Saturday near Sanford, the Sanford Police Department said.

Sanford police Lt. Joe Santiago was arrested shortly after 5:45 a.m. near Interstate 4 and H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway following a night of barhopping in Daytona Beach with a woman, according to an arrest report.

The woman told deputies Santiago headbutted her at a bar after she said something Santiago didn’t like, the report said.

The woman told investigators the two later got into an argument and Santiago punched her in the face, causing blood to shoot from her nose, the report said.

Santiago, who smelled of alcohol, chose to not speak or answer any questions without a lawyer present, deputies said in the report.

The woman was brought to Central Florida Regional Hospital to be treated for her injuries, deputies said.

Santiago was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, where he was jailed without bond. He was charged with felony battery.

According to Santiago’s LinkedIn account, he has worked for the Sanford Police Department since 1998.

The page said he graduated from the University of Central Florida with a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Cox Media Group