Man Accused of Battering Deputy Found in Lutz

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa man wanted in connection with a September battery on a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested early Monday morning. A Crime Stoppers tip led deputies to an address in Lutz where they say they found Rodshee Jeremiah Rayford around 2 a.m. Oct. 3.

Rayford, 37, was located at a home in the 17000 block of Orangewood Avenue in Lutz, the sheriff’s office said. He now faces resisting officer with violence, resisting officer without violence and violation of probation charges.

The incident that led to a hunt for Rayford occurred on Sept. 21 around 11:22 a.m. The sheriff’s office said Deputy Steve Gutierrez stopped a vehicle at 142nd Avenue East and 12th Street North for a seatbelt violation. The vehicle’s female driver pulled into the Stop and Shop at 1201 142nd St.

See also: Battery on Hillsborough Deputy: Video Released

“Prior to Deputy Gutierrez being able to voice the vehicle tag information, the black male passenger began to open the passenger door,” the email said. “Deputy Gutierrez approached the passenger and explained to both the purpose of the stop and then asked them for their driver’s licenses.”

The passenger, later identified as Rodshee Jermaine Rayford, got out of the vehicle, shoved Gutierrez and a struggle began, the email said. Gutierrez deployed his taser, the sheriff’s office said, but it had no effect.

Rayford took off after the scuffle, deputies said.

“He is considered dangerous and is a habitual offender,” the email said. Past charges include robbery with a firearm, carjacking with a firearm and kidnapping, assault or terrorize. Florida Department of Corrections records indicate he was released from state custody on Feb. 16, 2016 following a 2005 conviction.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office