A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy resigned Thursday for giving false testimony during a deposition, MCSO said.
Former K9 Deputy Joshua Parker submitted his resignation before MCSO administrators fired him, according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s office.
On Feb. 13, State Attorney Brad King sent a letter to Sheriff Billy Woods stating that Parker’s testimony was unreliable, according to the press release. The Office of the State Attorney found Parker was unreliable on two cases, including a case against another former MCSO deputy Jesse Terrell.
During a deposition, Parker gave false testimony during a state felony battery trial of Terrell, according to the press release. King said Parker’s testimony could only be used if it was corroborated by other reliable evidence.
After Woods received the letter, Parker was suspended with pay while an internal investigation was conducted, MCSO spokesperson Lauren Lettelier said. Woods decided to terminate Parker because of his liability, according to the press release.
“Sheriff Woods ultimately made the decision to terminate Parker from the agency, citing the insurmountable issues the State Attorney’s Office vocalized along with the liability and public concern that would be associated with keeping Parker as a deputy sheriff,” the press release said.
Lettelier said Parker was a deputy since 2003 and was also on the SWAT team.
Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield
