Osceola County Deputy Arrested After Allegedly Using Excessive Force on 67-Year-Old Woman During DUI Arrest

Deputy Joseph Billittier faces four criminal charges, including felony battery, perjury and official misconduct, after investigators reviewed body-camera footage.

By iSkyNews.com Staff
October 27, 2026

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OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — An Osceola County Sheriff's deputy has been arrested after an investigation determined he allegedly used unnecessary force against a 67-year-old woman during a DUI arrest and falsely accused her of attacking him.

Deputy Joseph Billittier was arrested Tuesday, October 27, following a criminal investigation into his handling of a September 25 traffic stop in Kissimmee. The investigation was reviewed by the State Attorney's Office before a judge signed a warrant for his arrest.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, the incident began when a concerned driver called 911 to report a Toyota Corolla traveling the wrong way along Royal Palm Road.

The vehicle, driven by a 67-year-old woman, eventually came to a stop in the median along Simpson Road, near 1201 Simpson Road. The person who called 911 reportedly removed the keys from the vehicle's ignition before deputies arrived.

Billittier responded to the scene and conducted a DUI investigation. The woman was subsequently arrested and handcuffed with her hands in front of her body.

Authorities said the woman informed deputies that she had suffered a broken clavicle in May and was wearing a sling on her left arm.

Body-Camera Footage Raises Concerns

According to investigators, the encounter between Billittier and the woman became physical while she was being placed into a patrol vehicle and transported to the Osceola County Jail.

When they arrived at the jail, corrections staff requested that the woman receive medical clearance. She was then placed back into the patrol vehicle and transported to a hospital.

Billittier later alleged that the woman had battered him during their interaction.

However, after reviewing footage from the deputy's body-worn camera and patrol vehicle cameras, supervisors raised concerns about both his allegations and his physical treatment of the woman.

Investigators determined that the woman had not battered Billittier, contrary to his claims. The Sheriff's Office also concluded that he had used an unnecessary amount of force while handling the woman after she was taken into custody.

The findings prompted a criminal investigation that ultimately led to the deputy's arrest.

Deputy Faces Four Criminal Charges

Following the investigation, Billittier was booked into the Osceola County Jail on the following charges:

Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older: Felony charge, no bond listed.

Official Misconduct: Felony charge, $2,500 bond.

Perjury in an Official Proceeding: Felony charge, $2,500 bond.

Falsifying a Public or Court Record: Misdemeanor charge, $1,000 bond.

The bond amounts were those announced by the Sheriff's Office at the time of his arrest.

Sheriff Blackmon: No One Is Above the Law

Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon issued a statement following the arrest, emphasizing that deputies are held to the same legal standards as the residents they serve.

"The badge represents public's trust, and no one is above the law, especially those sworn to enforce it," Blackmon said.

The sheriff described the alleged conduct as completely intolerable, explaining that accountability must extend to everyone, including members of his own agency.

"Accountability is not selective. If we demand lawfulness and responsibility from the youth of this community, we must demand an even higher level of integrity from the men and women who wear our uniform," Blackmon stated.

Blackmon also referenced the agency's recent arrests of students involved in criminal incidents at local schools, saying the same standards of accountability must apply within the Sheriff's Office.

According to Blackmon, Billittier was immediately relieved of duty pending formal termination proceedings, and the Sheriff's Office is cooperating with the State Attorney's Office in the prosecution.

Investigation Moves Forward

Authorities have not released additional details about whether the 67-year-old woman suffered injuries during the encounter or the current status of her original DUI case.

The deputy's criminal case will now proceed through the judicial system. The charges remain allegations, and Billittier is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The Sheriff's Office maintains that the investigation and arrest demonstrate its commitment to holding law enforcement personnel accountable for their actions.

Source: Osceola County Sheriff's Office, October 27, 2026.

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