NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLA. — A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office sergeant is facing felony charges after he was caught on video attacking an elderly couple at a local bar while off duty and intoxicated.
Jason Stickels, 44, was arrested by New Smyrna Beach Police after officers responded to a fight call at Merk’s Bar & Grill around 4:20 p.m. Monday. Investigators say Stickels approached a couple sitting near the bar and began making unwanted contact with them for no apparent reason.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
According to witness accounts and video captured at the scene, Stickels first struck a 71-year-old woman who was seated at a table with her husband.
When her 77-year-old husband, a military veteran, tried to step in and protect his wife, Stickels turned on him as well.
The altercation escalated quickly until a bystander at the bar intervened, wrestling Stickels to the ground and holding him there until officers arrived. Fortunately, neither the woman nor her husband suffered any injuries during the encounter.
Stickels now faces two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older, a serious charge given the ages of the victims involved. He was booked and later released after posting bond.
Sheriff Responds to the Incident
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood did not hold back when addressing the incident publicly, expressing frustration and disappointment over his sergeant’s actions.
He pointed out that the male victim was a Vietnam veteran who had simply been trying to enjoy time with his wife when he was attacked without cause. Chitwood described the footage as difficult to watch and said the behavior did not reflect the values of his agency.
At the same time, the sheriff struck a more measured tone when discussing consequences for Stickels, who has served with the department since 2004. Chitwood acknowledged that his deputies are human and capable of serious mistakes, while making clear that Stickels’ law enforcement career is effectively finished and that he has been publicly humiliated by the situation.
Following the arrest, Stickels was immediately placed on administrative leave and required to turn in his law enforcement equipment while the department reviews the case. Officials say further discipline, including possible termination, remains on the table. Chitwood noted that Stickels has resigned from his position and voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility in the aftermath of the incident.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the altercation or who may have additional video footage to come forward and contact the New Smyrna Beach Police Department’s non-emergency line to assist with the ongoing investigation.
