ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — An Orange County deputy is under investigation for shoving a gun in a driver's face during a routine traffic stop.
The deputy's name is Robert Ricks and this is not the first time he has been in trouble with the sheriff's office.
Apparently, there was a problem with Donnie Johnson's license plate, but he did not think that warranted having a deputy point a gun in his face.
Donnie Johnson, a Detention Officer with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and a United States Army corporal who just got back from Afghanistan, made a stop in Washington Shores last Friday to get a haircut when Orange County sheriff's deputy Robert Ricks put a gun to his head during a traffic stop.
"When he put that gun to my head, in my face, it just brought back memories of what I seen over there," said Johnson.
Johnson says Deputy Ricks, who was on patrol, quickly pulled up behind him in the parking lot, jumped out and asked for his identification and registration, which Johnson's brother was retrieving from the glove box.
"I said, 'what did I do? For What?' and no hesitation, that's when he pulled his weapon out and said, 'get out the car, get out the car!" said Johnson.
Johnson says Deputy Ricks pointed out he pulled him over because a frame was covering part of his license plate.
Ricks let Johnson go but the sheriff's office is investigating the incident.
"Is there anything you did to set this deputy off?" WFTV reporter Kenneth Moton asked Johnson.
"No sir, nothing at all. He told me a direct order and that's what I did," said Johnson.
Even if it is checking up on a driver whose plate cannot be seen, the sheriff's office says if a deputy feels threatened he or she has to take action. But WFTV learned when it comes to interacting with drivers Deputy Ricks has a troubled past
In June of 2009, Eyewitness News reported how Ricks fired into an SUV ten times and hit three suspects who he says tried to run him down.
WFTV discovered Ricks has been suspended and reprimanded for incidents involving pursuits and criticizing a superior officer. A supervisor even said the deputy often takes on too much.
"I hope they can see what, you know, that he needs some help," said Johnson.
Initially, the sheriff's office told WFTV the incident would be turned over to internal affairs. Now as spokesman says the deputy's supervisor will most likely conduct an administrative review over the next two weeks.