A former Marion County deputy was indicted Tuesday on charges of using excessive force during an arrest. 

A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned the indictment against Jesse Alan Terrell, 33, on charges that he violated the civil rights of Derrick Price last summer during a drug-related arrest.

The indictment alleges that on Aug. 7, 2014, Terrell, while working as a deputy sheriff with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, repeatedly struck, kneed and kicked Price, seen here on the left, in the head, neck and shoulder area.

The Sheriff's Office said a video recording of the incident was discovered by MCSO supervisors that depicts abusive actions by the employees toward Price.

After seeing the video, Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair on Aug, 11, 2014, suspended Terrell and four other employees — James Amidei, Trevor Fitzgerald, Adam Crawford, and Cody Hoppel — without pay after a routine internal use-of-force review. Blair then requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate the incident and the suspension of the five employees.

"The actions of these five individuals shown on the video which we discovered violated the oath of office they took to serve and protect our citizens and have compromised the integrity of the badge," Blair said. "The abusive and unprofessional actions they displayed shocked me to my core and there was absolutely no hesitation for me to immediately inform the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of their actions, to immediately suspend those former deputies without pay and, ultimately, to request their resignation and/or termination. I ask our community now to not let the actions of the few define the actions of all. We have 700+ employees who have dedicated themselves to our community and they will remain steadfast in their mission to serve
Marion County citizens with honor and protect them with pride."

Amidei, Fitzgerald, Crawford, and Hoppel resigned from the agency, and Terrell was terminated.

If convicted, Terrell faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.


Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair addresses the media Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, regarding video of his deputies beating a suspect. (Tony Rojek, Staff)