Pinellas Detention Deputy Fired After DUI

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH, FL — A 35-year-old Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employee was arrested and fired following a Monday morning traffic stop in North Redington Beach.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were conducting traffic enforcement along Gulf Boulevard around 1:45 a.m. Feb. 20 when they spotted a white Chevrolet SUV going north at a high rate of speed.

The motorist was pulled over for doing 67 mph in a 35 mph zone in the area of Coral Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, an email from the sheriff’s office said. When deputies spoke with the driver, they say she identified
herself as Jo Anna Barker, an off-duty detention corporal.

“Deputies say that Barker showed signs of impairment and a breath sample indicated she had a BAC of .217/.214,” the email said.

Barker was arrested on one count of DUI and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. She had worked for the sheriff’s office since October 2011. Her employment ended after her arrest, the sheriff’s office said.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office