OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — An Osceola County deputy has bonded out of jail after he was accused of using excessive force during a DUI traffic stop involving a 67-year-old.
29-year-old Joseph Billittier faces charges including battery on a person 65 or older, official misconduct, perjury in official proceedings, and falsifying a court or public record.
On Wednesday, a judge granted Billitier $11,000 bond on the charges but he won’t return to his role as an Osceola County deputy. Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon called Billittier’s conduct “completely intolerable” and stated the deputy has been immediately relieved of duty pending formal termination proceedings.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, a random body camera review found discrepancies in Deputy Joseph Billttier’s sworn report about a DUI arrest last month.
According to court records, Billittier arrested 67-year-old Lucy Castano-Pereira after she allegedly was under the influence, drove the wrong way down Simpson Road in Kissimmee, and crashed into the median.
Billttier claimed during the arrest on September 25th, Castano Pereira struck him, but investigators said that was untrue.
According to investigators, body camera video showed Billttier was the one who used excessive force, “forcibly pushing” the senior who had her left arm in a sling and advised her clavicle was broken.
“We’re doing what’s right, which is holding our people accountable when they break the law. And I’m not gonna stand for that as long as I’m the sheriff,” said Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
Despite the deputy’s arrest, Blackmon stated Castano-Pereira’s DUI arrest was still valid.
“ She’s a frequent flier. We deal with her often, but this is her third DUI,” said Blackmon.
Court records show prior to the arrest last month, Castano-Pereira was arrested for driving under the influence in 2012 and again in 2025.
On Wednesday, Castano-Pereira said she was doing okay in the aftermath of the arrest.
Channel 9 tried to ask Castano-Pereira how she was treated during the arrest, and why she was allegedly driving drunk to begin with, but Castano-Pereira declined to comment without her attorney present.
In the meantime, Channel 9 requested body camera video in the case. Blackmon stated he was pushing for the video to be released Tuesday, but said the state attorney’s office wanted the video held for the discovery process.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
