JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officer finds himself in custody following allegations of assaulting a man at a business in Clay County on Saturday.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the scene of an alleged assault at a business during the early hours. Upon arrival, they encountered the victim on the bar’s front patio, who claimed he had attempted to “de-escalate” a heated argument only to be “battered” by the offender.

Through a traffic stop, deputies located and identified the suspect as 49-year-old John H. Tiedeman. After conducting an interview, they arrested him and took him to the Clay County Jail. He is now facing charges of battery against a person 65 years or older.

Tiedeman has dedicated 27 years to the JSO, working as a patrol officer, most recently assigned to District 2. Following his arrest, he has been administratively reassigned to the Tele-Serv Unit as the criminal investigation proceeds.

This incident marks the fourth arrest of a JSO employee in 2026.