Orlando officer accused of punching suspect in theft of ex-wife's gun

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police officer is set to go on trial Thursday in Brevard County on a battery charge.

He’s accused of punching a man who was a suspect in a theft at his ex-wife’s home.

Officer Richard Gregg was relieved of duty with pay shortly after the June incident.

Last year, the Orlando Police Department was congratulating Gregg for his winning performance in the World National Championships in Strongman for police.

But now, he’s relieved of duty and facing trial on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a bust in June at a Melbourne LA Fitness gym.

According to his attorney and court documents, it was Gregg who informed Brevard County deputies that Hunter Hall, the man Gregg believed stole his ex-wife’s gun, would be there.

Deputies said that Gregg’s ex-wife met Hall on the Tinder dating app and after Hall left from a date at her house, she found her purse had been dumped and her gun was missing.

Later, one of Gregg’s friends saw someone matching Hall’s description on Plentyoffish.com.

Investigators said Gregg made arrangements for that friend to meet Hall at the gym, but the sheriff’s office told Gregg it would coordinate the effort and advised him not to be at the location, but he was.

His attorney said Gregg was there as an observer.

But when Hall took off running, deputies said Gregg wasn’t far behind and at one point, one of the deputies heard a male voice yell, ‘He’s got a gun.’

Deputies did not see Hall with a weapon and when deputies closed in on Hall, Gregg was there too.

A deputy said Gregg began telling about the gun before striking Hall with a closed fist.

But Gregg’s attorney said there was no battery or unlawful restraint.

Gregg has no history of disciplinary action.

He’s been with the police department since 2007.

Cox Media Group