A black Texas Sheriff’s deputy who was supposed to “serve and protect” has reportedly done the exact opposite.
According to ABC News, Bexar County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputy, Floyd Berry, was arrested after allegedly performing unlawful strip searches on six women in 11 days. The 46-year-old was placed on administrative duty after many women reportedly lodged complaints about the officer’s conduct at the department’s internal affairs unit.
It is alleged Berry performed the said unlawful strip searches between Nov. 24 and Dec. 4. He was arrested on December 8 and charged with three counts of official oppression. The sheriff’s office also confirmed he has been placed on administrative leave and given a proposed termination, ABC News further reports.
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Berry’s modus operandi, according to an affidavit obtained by KENS 5, involved pulling over his victims at a gas station convenience store in south Bexar County. He would then detain them, drive them away from the gas station and order them to expose themselves.
“I was like, ‘oh my God,’ because I have seen him come into the store,” Marivel Plaza, the gas station clerk told KENS 5.
Though Plaza admitted Berry hadn’t made any such advances towards her, she opened up about how strange and dangerous the entire situation was, especially with Berry being a familiar face.
“It’s weird and it’s scary. We’re women and sometimes we have to work at night,” she said. “He’s a police officer he’s supposed to be protecting us, you know, not doing wrong things.”
Authorities believe there are likely more victims of Berry’s illegal strip searches and called on them to come forward.
“I don’t think that someone that’s been on patrol for that long, all of a sudden started acting up, searching someone improperly, illegally,” Sheriff Javier Salazar told KENS 5. “I think this is something that has been going on for some time.”
An administrative and criminal investigation into Berry’s allegations are currently being conducted by authorities.
