ORLANDO, Fla. — A Lake County Sheriff's deputy shot an unarmed woman and lied to investigators about what happened during the encounter, according to a federal indictment filed Wednesday.

Lake County deputy charged with federal civil rights offenses

Investigators say he shot unarmed woman in 2016, lied about it

Grand jury originally cleared deputy, Sheriff's Office says

Deputy Robert Palmer, 58, is facing charges of unreasonable use of force and making false statements, says a news release by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the FBI's Jacksonville office.

The indictment alleges Palmer shot and injured a woman while on duty October 11, 2016. The Sheriff's Office in a statement issued Wednesday said the shooting happened during a traffic stop.

Federal prosecutors say that during the encounter, the woman's hands were visible and empty, though Palmer claimed that the woman's left hand was in her pocket, and when she pulled it out, he saw a dark object in it.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement originally investigated the shooting, sent a report to the State Attorney's Office, and a grand jury cleared Palmer, the Sheriff's Office said. But soon after, federal officials stepped in and began an investigation into possible civil rights violations.

Palmer resigned today after learning of the indictment, the Sheriff's Office said.

"The Sheriff’s Office has fully cooperated with all entities involved in the various stages of the investigations and proceedings related to this event and will continue to do so," Lt. John Herrell said in the statement.

Attorneys with the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.