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Pasco deputy accused of sexual act in woman's driveway fired

The police report says the deputy did a lewd act in the woman's driveway and wouldn't stop even after she'd asked him to leave multiple times.
Credit: PCSO

LAND O' LAKES, FLA -- A Pasco Sheriff Deputy is fired after masturbating in front of a woman in her driveway.

According to a police report, on Feb. 15 Deputy Joseph Mercado, 25, went to the woman's house "under the guise of discussing a serious incident that he witnessed." The woman agreed to go outside to talk with Mercado.

The report says that the two were not involved in a romantic relationship at the time, but Mercado began masturbating and wouldn't stop even after she'd asked him to leave multiple times.

Mercado finally left.

On Feb. 28 Mercado was arrested and charged with battery.

The Pasco Co. Sheriff's Office released a statement, saying "The Pasco Sheriff's Office ensures discipline is paramount in our organization. The allegations were investigated, he was arrested and terminated."

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