Disturbing bodycam footage shows cops arresting legally blind man

Two Florida police officers are under investigation after images surfaced showing them arresting a legally blind man whose navigation stick they briefly thought was a weapon.

On October 31, bodycam footage of Columbia County Deputy Sheriff Jayme Gohde showed she and Sergeant James Hodges, 61, for “resisting arrest without violence” after he refused to give them his identification.

Police had stopped Hodges because they thought the white cane, folded up and tucked into his back pocket, might have been a gun. Although he immediately showed the officers that it was not a weapon, they insisted that he give them his ID.

He continued to insist that he had committed no crime and that he did not have to obey, but Hodges refused to give his ID, so the officers handcuffed him and decided to arrest him.

Hodges spent 26 hours in prison before being released, after which he later posted the bodycam footage himself on YouTube.

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter told the Daily Beast he was “disturbed” by the incident and insisted an investigation was underway.

Hodges’ arrest affidavit said the altercation began after Gohde saw him crossing the street despite the light showing a do not walk signal.

The video showed her telling Hodges that she was holding him back because she thought he had a gun in his back pocket.

He immediately told her it was a “navigation aid” and then expressed his frustration at the stop.

“What’s the problem, are you a tyrant?” he said.

“Yes, actually,” said Gohde. “What’s your name and date of birth?”

Hodges then refused to provide his information, telling her that he didn’t have to give her anything because he hadn’t committed a crime.

She insisted that she examine him on suspicion of illegally carrying a weapon, to which she added ‘Do you want me to handcuff you now?’

Hodges then held up his cane so she could see it as she said, “You don’t have to be ad*** to me.”

“Well, you’re one to me,” Hodges replied, before asking if he was being held.

Gohde said he did, and after insisting she had no right to detain him, he asked to speak to her supervisor.

“He’s here,” she said when the second officer arrived.

Hodges explained the incident to the officer, who then also asked if he had any ID.

“I do have ID, but you don’t need it,” he said.

The police then suddenly handcuffed Hodges while asking for their names and license plate numbers.

The officer then asked Hodges if he was legally blind, to which Hodges replied that he was and that he had used the cane to help him through the dark to jury duty that morning.

Hodges stands in silence with the officer for a few moments while Gohde appears to be doing some paperwork.

She finally said, “Okay, Mr. Hodges, was that so hard?”

Hodges replied, “It will be. I want your name and badge number.’

At that moment the officer seemed to lose his temper and said, “You know what? Put him in jail for resistance’ as he shrugs.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on its Facebook page saying it is conducting an internal investigation.

“We are aware of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office body camera video relating to the arrest of Mr. James Hodges on October 31, 2022. Sheriff Hunter is concerned about what he saw in the video and the case is being addressed.” the police station said. .

“An administrative investigation was launched on November 3, 2022 when the incident was brought to our attention. If policy violations are found at the end of that investigation, appropriate action will be taken. While we understand the frustration and concern about this event, we know we are working to resolve this matter as soon as possible.”