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Report: Deputy smelled of alcohol when arrested for pointing gun at ride-share driver

By Katlyn Brieskorn
By Katlyn Brieskorn

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County sheriff's deputy was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at a ride-share driver, the Sheriff's Office said.

On Saturday morning, deputies said they arrested Deputy Troy Heyer on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm.

According to an arrest affidavit, a Lyft driver, who'd recently dropped Heyer off, said he remained in his car outside to type up a complaint with Lyft for sending him to a location far away when Heyer came back outside and pointed a gun at him asking "What are you doing here?"

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When an Orlando police officer arrived, Heyer initially agreed to speak with him. Heyer later changed his mind and told officers, "You're either going to arrest me or I'm going back in the house." Police arrested him.

The arrest affidavit states the responding officer "smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, his eyes were watery, and he slurred his speech."

Heyer was hired in October 2005 and works in the Court Services Division.

The Sheriff's Office said Heyer has been relieved of all law enforcement duties without pay while the criminal case is underway.

Heyer made his first appearance before a judge Sunday morning.

The judge told Heyer he cannot contact the victim and must surrender his guns. Heyer has also been banned from using Lyft.

Heyer bonded out of jail on $1,500 bail.

Heyer's lawyer is claiming self-defense.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina released a statement on the incident:

"These are very serious criminal allegations. As law enforcement officers, we must be held to the highest standards of conduct whether on duty or off duty. These allegations will be thoroughly investigated and the results of that investigation will be made public."

The Fraternal Order of Police released a statement on the incident:

"Troy Heyer is a FOP-93 member and early indications appear that he was acting outside the scope of his law enforcement duties, therefore at this time the FOP is not directly involved in the case. The FOP is expecting a thorough, fair and transparent investigation by the top notch detectives at the Orange County Sheriff's Office professional standard division. I echo Sheriff Mina's statement earlier today, that these are very serious criminal allegations and that our deputies/members must be mindful of their actions on and off duty."

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