close
close
You are Here
Former OCSO deputy will not face criminal charges for alleged street racing
vefms

Former OCSO deputy will not face criminal charges for alleged street racing

A judge dropped all charges against Dylan Gentry, 25.

The former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) deputy was fired in July after his arrest in Fort Walton for allegedly racing his personal motorcycle and tampering with evidence.

Last Friday, a court dropped the charges after lawyers showed video evidence from Gentry’s bike camera.

Gentry’s attorney, Jay Patel, said the footage proved his innocence and that Gentry’s arrest was “totally unjustified.”

“Mr. Gentry had a video camera on his motorcycle which recorded the entire incident,” Patel said in a statement. “This video unequivocally demonstrates that Mr. Gentry did not commit any criminal act and that his arrest was completely unjustified.”

Gentry worked for the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office for three years before his arrest and firing.

The former deputy is unlikely to get his county job back, given that he passed up the opportunity to appeal the findings of the department’s investigation.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden released this statement after the charges were dropped:

“Mr. Gentry was terminated for a Category 5 violation of agency policy regarding law enforcement. Following his arrest on multiple charges, including a felony, by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and a judge determining that probable cause existed for Mr. Gentry’s arrest, our agency investigated the complaint. The findings revealed that he violated agency policy and he was terminated in accordance with our policy, but was given the opportunity to appeal the findings. Mr. Gentry chose not to appeal his termination. At the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our staff to the highest standards of conduct, integrity, and professionalism. Our commitment to maintaining the public trust and enforcing the law is paramount. When any member of our agency fails to meet these standards, we take swift and decisive action to address the issue. To reiterate, Mr. Gentry was afforded due process and had the opportunity to appeal the findings and chose not to do so. “Our agency remains dedicated to transparency and accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that all members of our agency uphold the values ​​and principles that guide our mission to serve and protect the community.”

OCSO Sheriff Eric Aden

Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin

Related Posts