Sheriff makes illegal gun arrest, brags about it on FB, forced to reverse course

[Matt Collins]

They made an illegal arrest of a citizen lawfully transporting firearms.




When they bragged about it on Facebook thousands of comments slammed the Department for acting illegally.




https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/lo...7-e3f351cc9ab5

[jon4liberty]

Someone who views their crown as a badge

[Anti Globalist]

Sheriff must not have been too happy about that. Next time he'll have to think twice before posting something like that on social media.

[Origanalist]

I thought Sheriffs were supposed to be the ones protecting our 2nd amendment rights?

We have completed an exhaustive review with our Sheriff and our legal team regarding the traffic stop and arrest of Stephen Frisco on January 30.

While deputies strive every day to make the best decisions to keep all of our citizens safe, we acknowledge that they are not perfect and can make mistakes in their interpretations of the law. We have come to the conclusion that the deputy involved in Mr. Frisco’s traffic stop was incorrect in a portion of their interpretation of Florida Open Carry Laws. Mr. Frisco was not in violation regarding the manner in which he was transporting his rifle, however, that does not negate that he was in violation of the law for having three loaded firearms concealed and not securely encased in the vehicle. Mr. Frisco also does not have a concealed weapon permit. To remedy this issue immediately, we are in contact with the State Attorney's Office to remove the charge of Open Carry.

We are working to not only address this misinterpretation of Florida Statute with the deputy involved, but also using it as a teachable moment for all of our deputies. Sheriff Chad Chronister is mandating additional training on Florida Statute 790.25(5) which details possession in a private conveyance.

All of us at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office stand behind and live by our mission: To Protect and Serve

"The mission of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is to serve, protect, and defend the community while preserving the rights and dignity of all. It's our duty to make Hillsborough County, Florida a safer place. We do this by working together with the community. It's one of our greatest strengths."

In Addition: We apologize to anyone who was concerned by the original Facebook post related to this incident being removed. It is never our intention to censor. The previously vague post was taken down and reposted shortly after with more detailed information in hopes of providing clarity. It is important to note that all of our posts are archived and can be obtained through a public records request: 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:
Some of our followers requested more information on a previously vague post that was taken down out of concern that it was misleading.

𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘:
On Thursday, January 30, at approximately 5:54 a.m. an HCSO deputy was driving onto I-75 from Fowler Avenue in Tampa. The deputy observed a white 2018 extended cab Ford F-150 pickup truck immediately behind the patrol car with high beam lights on and following too closely. The pickup truck crossed all lanes of traffic to get into the left lane of the highway and began speeding. The deputy looked over at the truck and could not see into the windows due to a very dark level five tint, which was later tested at the scene and found to be in violation.

The deputy pulled up behind the truck two separate times, both times flashing emergency lights, however, the driver did not stop or slow down. Instead, he continued to speed at a rate of 87 mph. When the driver ultimately decided to pull over, the deputy approached the pick up truck on the passenger side for safety due to traffic.

Stephen Michael Frisco (DOB 07/26/95) was in the sole occupant in the vehicle. The deputy did a visual sweep inside the pickup truck and noticed a rifle wedged between the passengers seat and the center console, rifle end down. The deputy asked Frisco for his driver's license, where he was coming from and going to, if his rifle was real and if he had any other weapons in the truck.

Frisco told the deputy he was coming from a residence in Pasco County and headed to his place of employment in Bartow. He said the rifle was real and that he had several other weapons in the truck. Frisco said he does not have a concealed carry permit.

𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓.

At this point, the deputy asked Frisco to exit the vehicle due to probable cause for an arrest. The deputy searched Frisco's vehicle and found three loaded handguns -- no cases and ready to use -- in addition to loaded magazines beneath the center console. Additional loaded magazines were found in the glove box. In Florida, open carry is unlawful (2nd degree misdemeanor).

Frisco was arrested for Open Carrying of a Weapon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm (3 counts). He was also cited for failing to dim headlights 300 feet behind a vehicle and received only a warning for speeding and the tinted windows violation.

We want to reiterate that in 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐘 were Mr. Frisco's rights violated. As a law enforcement agency, we just ask that anyone who chooses to exercise their rights to carry a firearm does so within the law.

We apologize for any confusion the initial posting may have caused, and we are happy to provide additional clarity if needed through our Public Affairs Office: piocommandcenter@hcso.tampa.fl.us

We want to reiterate that in 𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐘 were Mr. Frisco's rights violated. As a law enforcement agency, we just ask that anyone who chooses to exercise their rights to carry a firearm does so within the law

(the link to the fedbook post is in the OP article)

Boom, there goes the thunder. If anyone thinks Sheriffs are not going to enforce unconstitutional laws they are delusional.

[pcosmar]

I thought Sheriffs were supposed to be the ones protecting our 2nd amendment rights?

Supposed to,, Also supposed to defend you FROM accusation... Not Make them.

[Swordsmyth]

I thought Sheriffs were supposed to be the ones protecting our 2nd amendment rights?





(the link to the fedbook post is in the OP article)

Boom, there goes the thunder. If anyone thinks Sheriffs are not going to enforce unconstitutional laws they are delusional.

Not all sheriffs are the same.

[Origanalist]

Not all sheriffs are the same.

True, but the majority are going to fall into the "following orders" and $#@! you mundane category. I'll wager that if they had not been so stupid and vain as to put this on facebook no action would have been taken on the charges. Not to mention all the charges that weren't dropped.