Former Hendry County Sheriff’s Deputy Indicted For Using Excessive Force And Obstruction

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Tyler Williams (29, Labelle) with deprivation of civil rights under color of law. Specifically, Williams is charged with unreasonable use of force and obstruction of justice. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison on the use of force charge, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the obstruction charge. Williams is a former deputy sheriff from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

The indictment alleges that on or about July 4, 2023, Williams, while acting under color of law as a deputy sheriff with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, willfully deprived the civil rights of a man by throwing him to the ground and injuring him. Williams then wrote a false justification for the use of force on the man in an incident report, obstructing justice.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Tampa Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick L. Darcey and Jesus M. Casas.