TAMPA, Fla. – A Hillsborough County inmate is facing additional charges after a brutal assault on a jail deputy was caught on surveillance video. The incident occurred at the Orient Road Jail in Tampa, Florida, and prompted a strong response from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident took place around 11:15 a.m. when Michler Gabriel, 38, was being escorted by a jail deputy. Gabriel allegedly refused to comply with the deputy’s instructions to step back from a jail pod door as it was being opened. The sheriff’s office released the video of the incident, which shows the deputy attempting to get Gabriel to move away from the door. As the deputy halts Gabriel’s progress and gestures to where he should stand, Gabriel violently punches the deputy in the face multiple times. The force of the blows knocked the deputy against a wall, and his glasses were sent flying.
A second deputy quickly responded, bolting through the door to assist in restraining Gabriel. Moments later, several additional deputies arrived to help restrain the violent inmate and take him away. Fox 13 reported that the injured deputy sustained bruising, swelling, and lacerations and was treated at Tampa General Hospital.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister addressed the dangers faced by deputies, even within the confines of a controlled environment. “This is a prime example of the dangerous environment deputies willingly go into every day in order to keep violent people like Michler Gabriel off of our streets,” he said in a statement. “I will not tolerate anyone who would have such a lack of respect for another human being, especially for someone who selflessly serves the citizens of Hillsborough County.”
Chronister added, “While I am thankful that the deputy involved was not seriously hurt, we will make sure that Gabriel is prosecuted to the fullest extent for his actions.”
Gabriel, who was already in jail on charges including driving with a suspended license, possession of a controlled substance, armed trafficking, and felon in possession of a firearm, now faces new felony charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and battery by a detained person.