Lamaur Stancil

lamaur.stancil@tcpalm.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A sheriff's deputy resigned and two were suspended following an internal affairs review of an excessive force complaint, according to a report.

The investigation revolved around the Dec. 3 arrest of Council Bryant on a domestic violence charge, which was later dropped. A woman at the home said Bryant, 53, punched her in the face twice, according to the report.

Indian River County sheriff's deputies Roger Jones and Jonathan Lozada entered the home to arrest Bryant, who resisted being handcuffed, the report said. During the altercation, Jones told internal affairs investigators he punched Bryant three times in the face. Deputies took Bryant to a hospital because his face was swelling, the report said.

The Sheriff's Office concluded Bryant's resistance was not violent and didn't require Jones to punch him. Internal affairs investigators said the complaint for excessive response resulting in injury was valid and could have led to Jones being fired. However, Jones submitted his resignation Jan. 26. No criminal charges were filed against Jones.

Also in the investigation, the Sheriff's Office suspended Lt. Macen Levan for eight hours and Sgt. Ron Garrison for four hours because reports in the case were not completed. Garrison was Jones' supervisor, and Levan was the watch commander for the shift when the deputies went to Bryant's home.

Lozada was given a letter of reprimand in the case, also for failing to complete a report.