Columbia County deputies disciplined following arrest of legally blind man

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On October 31, 2022, James Hodges, a legally blind man, was walking home from jury duty in Lake City, Florida, when he was stopped by Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Jayme Gohde. During the encounter, Deputy Gohde questioned Hodges about an object in his back pocket, which she claimed she suspected was a firearm. Hodges identified the item as a navigational aid, specifically a collapsible cane. Despite Hodges showing the officers the device, the deputies continued to demand his identification. When Hodges refused, citing a lack of reasonable suspicion, Sergeant Randy Harrison arrived and ordered his arrest for resisting an officer without violence. Hodges was held for approximately 26 hours. Following the incident, Sheriff Mark Hunter publicly apologized, calling the arrest unacceptable. Prosecutors later dismissed the charges against Hodges. An internal investigation resulted in Deputy Gohde receiving a two-day unpaid suspension, while Sergeant Harrison was demoted and suspended for seven days. Both officers were required to undergo remedial civil rights training. Hodges subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the sheriff's office and the involved deputies, which was dismissed with prejudice by the court in August 2024.