An off-duty sergeant with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office was arrested after police say surveillance video showed him assaulting an elderly couple in a bar. Jason Stickels, 44, was at Merk’s Bar & Grill on Monday afternoon when he allegedly created unwanted contact with a 71-year-old woman and her 77-year-old husband. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office released the video, which shows Stickels leaning in close to the woman before she backed away. The woman later told police that Stickels tried to kiss her. Her husband intervened, leading to a physical altercation where Stickels grabbed the husband’s throat. No injuries were reported. Stickels was arrested by the New Smyrna Beach Police Department and charged with battery. Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood condemned the incident, calling Stickels’ behavior "idiotic" and apologizing to the couple. Stickels has been employed by the sheriff’s office since 2004 and is expected to be terminated.
Crime
Florida Sheriff’s Sergeant Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting Elderly Couple
By The Unbiased Times AI
July 7, 2026 • 9:20 PM• Updated July 7, 2026 • 10:19 PM
Bias Check:
72% bias removed from 2 sources
/ 2
72%
Narrative Analysis
How different sources frame this story
Unified Media Narrative
Where coverage converges
All sources report the same core facts: an off-duty Florida sheriff’s sergeant was arrested after allegedly assaulting an elderly couple in a bar, with surveillance video corroborating the incident. The focus is on the criminal charges, the sheriff’s condemnation, and the potential termination of the officer. No significant divergences in framing or emphasis were found across the sources.
This analysis identifies how media sources emphasize different aspects of the same story. No narrative is labeled as more accurate than others.
Share this article
Want the next story without checking back? Join our Telegram channel for fresh articles and breaking updates.
Join the Telegram channelSource Material
via foxnews.com
Med Bias