Flagler County deputy arrested after making harassing phone calls, Sheriff’s Office says

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla: — A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy is under arrest and is being held on no bail.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says it has suspended Dedorious Varnes without pay pending further investigation following his arrest for aggravated battery.

According to FCSO detectives, Varnes made over 50 threatening phone calls to a 67-year-old Palm Coast man who was the victim of a battery.

The incident began on February 26th, 2020 when FCSO responded to Angela Drive for a battery call.

According to the sheriff’s office, the victim told deputies that he and two neighbors were watching television when an argument over racism occurred.

The victim told deputies the argument became physical and that’s when one of the neighbor’s, 42-year-old Patell Troutman, began pushing the victim around, according to FCSO. The victim called 911 after Troutman returned to his house demanding the victim come back outside. By the time deputies arrived, Troutman had left the area.

Meanwhile, while Flagler County deputies were taking a report, the victim began receiving calls from a blocked number. According to FCSO, the caller began asking the victim not to press charges against Troutman. and to think about what damage could be done emotionally to Troutman's child if he went to jail.

Over the next three months, the victim received 53 more threatening phone calls from a blocked number. According to the sheriff’s office, the caller would use racial slurs as well as make threats against his life.

While conducting the investigation the state attorney’s office discovered that the blocked calls were linked to a phone number belonging to Varnes, a deputy with the FCSO since January 2018.

"I was shocked, disappointed and angry to find out that an employee of this agency was behind these atrocious phone calls," Sheriff Rick Staly said. "He took an oath and is supposed to serve and protect this community and instead he actively participated in threatening and tormenting a resident. He abused his status as a law enforcement officer and we will do everything we can to have the state revoke his license so he can never work in law enforcement again. He has let down this community; he has embarrassed this agency and tarnished his badge and dishonored law enforcement officers everywhere. No one is above the law and that is why he is in jail where he belongs."

According to Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the victim and Sheriff Staly plan to meet next week.

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