A Sebastian police officer was terminated Tuesday following a probe into claims made by his ex-girlfriend involving physical and mental abuse while they dated. An internal affairs investigation also found Officer Thomas Quinn made several agency violations, including aggravated assault, during a series of incidents that occurred last year, reports show.
The Sebastian Police Department conducted the internal affairs investigation on Quinn, who was hired as an officer on Aug. 20, 2018, Cpt. Tim Wood said. Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted the criminal investigation and decided not to file charges against Quinn.
Investigators ultimately determined the accusations of dating violence were not sustained because of inconsistencies in statements, contradictory information and lack of evidence, reports show. But, Sebastian police did determine Quinn made several policy violations including perjury, aggravated assault, trespassing in a dwelling, engaging in sexual activity while on duty, untruthfulness, sending explicit photos while on duty, disobeying a direct order and violating state laws.
Police were notified March 1 about a Facebook post made by the ex-girlfriend. The woman indicated Quinn may have been physically abusing her, reports show.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement began its investigation March 2. Quinn was placed on paid administrative leave the next day, pending the outcome of the criminal probe, reports show.
Police Chief Dan Acosta described the probe results as “alarming.”
“This type of behavior is unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and does not meet the expectations of excellence we set for our officers both on-and-off duty,” Acosta said in a statement.
“Although the investigation results are alarming, I am confident they do not define the exceptional men and women of this agency. We will continue to take internal measures to ensure our officers are conducting themselves in a way that exceeds the expectations of the community and the citizens we serve.”
Reports of physical abuse
Police spoke to the woman, who said Quinn began abusing her physically and emotionally a few months after they started dating. The pair lived separately, reports show.
The woman told investigators the incidents of physical abuse spanned from July 2020 to Jan. 2021. In one incident, the woman said she and Quinn got into an altercation at her home. The woman said Quinn grabbed her by the throat and hair and pushed her head up against the footboard of her bed, reports show.
The woman reported several other incidents to law enforcement where she said Quinn had beat her. The woman said Quinn choked and slapped her. She also said Quinn put a gun to her head while he played a game of Russian Roulette and pulled the trigger, reports show.
The woman told investigators Quinn placed the barrel of the firearm in her mouth.
Quinn denied all accusations of physical abuse made against him, reports show. Authorities seized all of Quinn’s guns.
Investigation Conclusion
Investigators determined that the dating violence accusations were either not sustained or unfounded. But, authorities said Quinn violated several agency policies spanning from several incidents that date back to 2020.
Investigators said Quinn trespassed in the woman’s home on Aug. 31, 2020, after she denied him permission into the residence. Authorities said Quinn also lied about flashing a firearm at a man he saw speaking to the woman on Nov. 22, 2020, at a Cumberland Farms convenience store in Sebastian.
Quinn also failed instructions to fully disclose the details of the incident to his supervisor, authorities said.
Investigators learned Quinn engaged in sexual activity while on duty and sent explicit photos while in his uniform in February, reports show. Authorities said Quinn also lied about engaging in a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old woman who was part of the Sebastian Police Explorer program, which aims to get young adults to pursue careers in law enforcement and public safety.
Acosta reviewed the findings and fired Quinn. An attorney for Quinn could not be immediately reached for comment.
This story will be updated.
