An Osceola County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested on domestic violence charges early Sunday morning.

  • Sheriff Michael Keating arrested for domestic violence
  • Keating denies hitting girlfriend
  • Deputy suspended without pay 

Officials said deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the St. Cloud area, involving Michael Keating and his girlfriend.  

Keating, a 14-year-veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, was arrested.

Back in 2016, Keating had a similar issue with the same woman, but the incident took place in Brevard County.

She decided not to file charges at the time.

News 13 spoke to Sheriff Russ Gibson about the incident and he said no one is above the law.

"We work every single day," Gibson said. "The good women and men of Osceola County Sheriff's Office are out there taking reports and the rest of these folks to prevent violence from continuing in their homes. We will not tolerate that in our community whatsoever. Let alone from our citizens and as a deity sheriff you're held to me at a higher standard and we're not going to condone that whatsoever."   

According to the report, Keating got into an argument with his girlfriend soon after coming home from the Cozy Cove Bar in St. Cloud.

The woman told deputies that Keating became angry and started punching. The Sheriff's Office report indicated that she had physical injuries: a split lip and a black eye. However, she refused medical attention.

In the report, Keating denied hitting his girlfriend and said that she has a history of making false reports against him.

Keating said that she has lied in the past and that she has injured herself to support those claims.

The deputy also said his girlfriend has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and does not take her prescribed meds.

The report states both were under the influence of alcohol.

Keaton was involved in some undercover police work but had been patrolling the streets of Osceola lately. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail without bond.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office will complete an administrative investigation concerning the incident to determine if any policies were violated.

Right now, Keating is suspended without pay.