Deltona, FL — A routine school day turned violent on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, when body camera footage captured a shocking attack on a School Resource Deputy at Deltona Middle School. The assailants—identified as Jorge Rivera and his wife, Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino—allegedly launched a physical assault on the deputy during a confrontation on campus. Both individuals were arrested and are currently being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
The footage, which has since circulated among law enforcement and community leaders, shows the deputy being punched in the head, knocked to the ground, and having her department-issued Taser forcibly ripped from her grasp. The attacker, described as 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 280 pounds, overwhelmed the deputy in a matter of seconds.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a strong public statement following the incident and the subsequent legal proceedings. “I’m glad they’re locked up, and I look forward to them being held fully accountable for this blatant attack on our deputy who was just doing her job,” Chitwood said.
However, the case took a controversial turn in court when Circuit Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly appeared to shift blame onto the deputy herself. According to courtroom transcripts and public statements, Judge McNeilly suggested that the deputy bore responsibility for the attack—an assertion that has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials and community members alike.
“This wasn’t just a failure of judgment—it was a failure of justice,” Chitwood said. “There were legal procedures that were not followed during this sentencing, and I have faith that the system will work to correct it.” The State Attorney’s Office filed a formal notice of appeal at 2:45 p.m. on the day of the ruling, signaling their intent to challenge the decision.
Chitwood did not hold back in his criticism of Judge McNeilly’s handling of the case. “As angry as I am at a judge who insulted our Deputy, disrespected our training, and showed contempt for all the law enforcement officers in that courtroom and across Volusia County, I have to ask YOU to keep faith in the system, too.”
He emphasized the importance of civic engagement over retaliation, urging the public to respond through democratic channels rather than threats or harassment. “We are allowed to disagree with judges and criticize them vehemently,” Chitwood said. “We can not allow our criticism to turn into threats or harassment of our judges, their staff or their families.”
The sheriff concluded with a pointed reminder of the power of the ballot box. “This judge will be back on the ballot in 2028, and I will be asking you at that time to make sure a judge like this doesn’t sit on the bench in Volusia County.”
The incident has reignited conversations about the safety of school-based law enforcement officers, the role of judicial discretion in violent crime cases, and the broader implications for community trust in the justice system. As the appeal process unfolds, many in Volusia County are watching closely—hoping for a resolution that affirms both accountability and respect for those who serve.
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