A Clermont police officer who was fired and eventually reinstated is now facing third-degree felony charges after investigators say he lied in reports, affidavits and sworn testimony, according to officials.
- In 2011, Cecil Garrett was accused of lying in an arrest report
- Arbitrator said Garrett never lied; he was reinstated in 2013
- Garrett now faces perjury charges
- RELATED: Clermont police officer fired for lying in teen's arrest report
Cecil Garrett, 48, is facing five counts of perjury. An investigation was started earlier this year after complaints from citizens and inmates at the Lake County Jail. Garrett was placed on paid administrative leave March 10, authorities said.
According to a news release, the police department and State Attorney’s Office found Garrett lied “in his reports, affidavits, sworn testimony and or in his documentation of citizen encounters and interactions while on duty.” Ten cases have been thrown out in connection to the Garrett case, the office said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement just wrapped up a five-month investigation, which ultimately led to issuing an arrest warrant Wednesday afternoon. The FDLE said it reviewed Garrett's arrests since 2011 and found false information in 11 criminal citations. The agency said Garrett would fabricate arrest affidavits, pulling over a vehicle before running the tag number through the system. Garrett told investigators it was a mistake.
Garrett turned himself in Thursday. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending the judicial process.
“This arrest stems from a series of isolated incidents that were dealt with swiftly and expeditiously,” Chief Charles Broadway said in a statement. “These accusations are in no way reflective of the hard working men and women of the Clermont Police Department and their commitment to serving the public with integrity and professionalism.”
Garrett, who joined the force in December 2005, has been accused of lying before. In 2011, Garrett claimed a teenage boy had cocaine, but instead it was crushed-up aspirin. The officer was fired, but an arbitrator said Garrett never lied, and he was reinstated in 2013.
In 2015, Garrett was named "officer of the first quarter," and the announcement mentioned how he participated in community events and fundraisers.
(Clermont Police Department)