9 Investigates learned a Daytona Beach police officer will keep his job after an investigation found he had sex with a domestic violence victim, just days after arresting her alleged abuser.
Internal affairs investigators indicated the sexual relationship led to charges being dropped against the domestic violence suspect.
Investigators determined the sex was consensual, and that the officer didn’t abuse his power to coerce the woman, but it was a lapse in judgment that impacted the DV case.
It happened following a July 2019 domestic violence call, described as a “bloodbath” in an interview with the victim. The suspect allegedly broke the woman’s nose and placed her into the bathtub to wash the blood off.
Daytona Beach police officer Johnathon Jackson responded, and ultimately arrested former FHP Trooper Patrick Hildebrandt for aggravated battery.
The just-completed internal affairs investigation shows days after Jackson handled the call, the victim received a text from the officer asking her on a date. One thing led to another, and investigators say the two had sex.
Afterward, the woman claims Jackson told her not to tell the suspect or his attorneys because it could blow the case.
“A defense attorney would be all over him in cross-examination, that case is adversely affected by his conduct,” WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
A month later, the victim told the State Attorney’s Office about the incident. Then, in September, the charges were dropped against Hildebrandt.
“Jackson knew his actions were inappropriate and prohibited, as his actions affected the prosecution of a criminal case, thus allowing a domestic battery suspect not to be brought up on charges and continue this behavior as the SAO decided not to continue its prosecution into this incident,’ internal affairs investigators noted.
When reached by phone, Jackson said he didn’t want to comment about the issue. He accepted his discipline of a 40-hour suspension.
Though Hildebrandt did not face charges, he did separate from the Florida Highway Patrol and is no longer a trooper.