Arrest Lands Pasco Detective on Administrative Leave

A Pasco County Sheriff’s detective who lives in New Port Richey has been placed on paid administrative leave  after being arrested in Pinellas County, according to a St. Petersburg Times staff report.

Pasco Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll told the Times that James Prack will stay on leave until the administrate investigation or criminal case is finished, according to the Times report (which can be read here).

Prack was at John’s Pass Village at Madeira Beach Sunday with a friend who became belligerent, according to the Times. Both were intoxicated, and his friend had a marijuana pipe in his possession, according to the Times.

The Times staff report said that a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy was alerted that Prack’s friend, Samuel T. Southard, was discovered on the ground with his face down, according to the Times There was blood on Southard’s face and Prack had his hands around him, trying to calm him down,.

Both Prack and Southard grew difficult to deal with. The deputy touched Prack’s shoulder and Prack shoved his hand away. Prack stepped away after he was told he was bstructing justice, according to the Times.

“Southard continued to be difficult and and eventually kicked the deputy,” a Times staff member was told. 

Prack was charged with resisting an officer without violence. Southard was charged with resisting an officer with violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Prack was released from jail Monday morning.