Advertisement Lake County deputy accused of sexually battering woman during traffic stop Dash camera was turned off for 22 minutes, officials say Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A Lake County deputy has been arrested on sexual battery charges.Related: Florida mug shotsThe victim says Matthew Donnelly groped her and made inappropriate comments during a traffic stop on New Year's Day.According to an affidavit, the victim and her boyfriend had been out celebrating at an Orlando bar when the boyfriend flagged down a deputy because his girlfriend was passed out and needed help.The victim then woke up and that is when Donnelly told her she was "(expletive) sexy" and that he has a wife, the affidavit said.Donnelly then put the woman's boyfriend in his patrol car and detained him, officials said.The Sheriff's Office said Donnelly was allegedly adamant that she not tell anyone as he repeatedly told her he was going to let her boyfriend go.The victim told detectives she was scared and felt she had no choice but to cooperate with Donnelly's demands.Sheriff's spokesman John Herrell said his colleagues are surprised."We're disheartened. Obviously, it's discouraging," he said. "It's really hard to see a law enforcement officer get arrested for breaking the law that they themselves are sworn to uphold, but it's especially hard when it's one of your own."Also see: Caught on camera: Car spins out on icy roadDetectives said a sexual assault examination on the victim supported her claim and that her DNA was found in his patrol car even though there's no evidence the woman was ever in it."The victim's DNA was found on the steering wheel, his flashlight and the gear shifter knob," said Harrell.Donnelly's dash cam was allegedly turned off for about 22 minutes during the encounter.Donnelly worked for the Lake County Sheriff's Office for 13 years, and during that period, he only had one disciplinary issue."That was for refusing to respond to an animal complaint," said Harrell.Herrell said the evidence against Donnelly is so strong that even if he's found innocent in court, he likely won't work in law enforcement again.14277264