Legally Blind Man Arrested For Walking Stick, Legally Blind Man Arrested Lawsuit

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by Sivasankari Sekar | Updated Jan 12, 2023

Source: YouTube

Legally Blind Man Arrested For Walking Stick

Two Florida deputies met with suspension without pay after arresting a 61-year-old legally blind man carrying a cane. The deputies mistook it for a gun. Jayme Gohde and Randy Harrison, her supervisor, were also reprimanded. Randy will be denied raises or promotions for 2 years, and both will be needed to take remedial training about civil rights.

According to an arrest report, Jayme stopped James Hodges, of Lake City, in the early morning of October 31, 2022, after she saw the man enter a crosswalk as a traffic-control device meant not to do so.

Legally Blind Man Arrested

The report said the morning was foggy and overcast, and drivers were using headlights. The report also said James seemed to be carrying a "silver (chrome) pistol with a white grip in his back right pocket."

The tool was later confirmed as a "navigational aid," but not before James was arrested and charged with resisting an officer.

Blind Man Arrested For Walking Stick

During a meeting captured on body-camera footage, Jayme asked James what was in his pocket. Jayme explained. He asked: "What's the problem? Are you a tyrant?" Jayme responded that she was and asked for his name and date of birth, which the man refused to give.

The officer asked, "Do you want me to put you in handcuffs right now?"

In a video statement released by the Columbia county sheriff's office, Sheriff Mark Hunter said the 2 officers were found to have made "policy violations."

Man Arrested For Walking Stick

James was placed in handcuffs and according to the video, Randy asked him, “Sir, are you legally blind?”

Audio was turned off, but James appeared to mouth, “Yes, I am.” He said, “I had to walk up here in the dark for jury duty, which was canceled.”

The video showed Jayme asking James whether that was hard, and he responded that he wanted her name and badge number.

Randy reacted, according to the video, “You know what, put him in jail for resisting.”

As James is placed into a car, he says, “I want your name and your badge number, too, sir.”

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Sheriff Mark said he did not believe the officers were "guided by ill-intent but rather by frustration and failure to rely on their training." He said their conduct was not acceptable.

Mark said, "As sheriff, I take full responsibility for this event and want to extend my sincere apologies to Mr Hodges for the actions of my deputies."

James told WTLV of Jacksonville, an NBC affiliate, that support he has got from the public makes his chest swell up, not in a proud way, but in a very appreciative way.

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Legally Blind Man Arrested For Walking Stick - FAQ

1. Is a Legally Blind Man Arrested For a Walking Stick?

The tool was later confirmed as a "navigational aid," but not before James was arrested and charged with resisting an officer.

2. Why was the legally blind man arrested?

Two Florida deputies met with suspension without pay after arresting a 61-year-old legally blind man carrying a cane. The deputies mistook it for a gun.

3. What did Sheriff Mark Hunter say about arresting the legally blind man?