Manatee deputy arrested after pulling his gun during an off-duty fight, sheriff says

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at a man’s head during an argument while off duty in Sarasota last month, the agency said in a news release.

Records show the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested Benjamin Sampey, 21, on Tuesday and booked him into the Sarasota County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said that Sampey was at Ackerman Park, 400 Apex Road, Sarasota, on June 21 when he got into an argument with another man.

Sampey initially told Sarasota County deputies that he was breaking up a fight and drew his handgun in self-defense, a news release said.

But an investigation found that Sampey was taking part in an argument when he drew his agency-issued gun and pointed it at the other man’s head, the sheriff’s office said.

“This is not acceptable behavior for any employee of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Rick Wells said in the news release. “I commend Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for taking swift action on this case.”

Sampey joined the sheriff’s office in February 2023 and worked in the Corrections Bureau, the sheriff’s office said. The Corrections Bureau operates the Manatee County Jail.

Sampey resigned after his arrest on Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said. Jail records showed he was held without bond at the Sarasota County Jail.

As of Tuesday evening, an internal investigation and a criminal investigation were ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.