Sheriff T.K. Waters reported that a law enforcement officer tried to speak with a woman concerning her unattended vehicle, but the encounter turned physical.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — During a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters disclosed the arrest of a woman, who allegedly assaulted an officer by punching and biting him near an IDEA charter school earlier this week.
The woman, Erika McGriff, 39, faced charges including battery against a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, along with operating a motor vehicle on a revoked license. Each of these offenses is considered a third-degree felony, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison.
Additionally, McGriff has received multiple traffic citations, Waters said.
McGriff’s arrest stems from a Tuesday, Oct. 7 incident outside the IDEA charter school, located at 1845 Bassett Rd.
McGriff, identified as a parent at the IDEA school and described by Waters as a “habitual traffic offender,” had parked her running car illegally near the school and left it unattended, according to Waters.
Officer Holton attempted to address the car situation with McGriff, but the engagement reportedly escalated into a physical altercation.
Bodycam footage presented during the briefing depicted Officer Holton forcefully subduing McGriff by taking her to the ground and pulling her hair following a fist fight that unfolded before a large group of onlookers.
“She violently resisted Officer Holton and eventually, punched him repeatedly and bit him with such force that it left a bite impression on his forearm,” Waters said. “It’s shocking to me that you square up to fight a police officer just maybe when you’re gonna get a citation.”
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Makes First Halo Law Violation Arrests
Two others who had been spectating the incident, Anita Gibson and Jasmine Jefferson, were arrested for violating Florida’s Halo Law, according to the agency.
“This law creates a 25-foot buffer around first responders, prohibiting individuals from approaching within this area or harassing a first responder while conducting their official duty after a verbal warning,” Waters said.
Waters said this incident marked the first time JSO arrested someone for violating the state’s Halo Law.
“So, what’s today’s takeaway?” Waters rhetorically asked. “If you violently resist our officers, if you punch them, if you bite them, you will be arrested. If you crowd and harass our officers or any first responder after a verbal warning, you will be arrested. Officer Holton was simply doing his job.”
Four Arrests Total
The incident lead to four total arrests as of Friday, according to JSO, after the agency announced that a teenager was also charged. The sheriff’s office said the girl, who was not identified, threatened to shoot up the charter school because of what happened.
