Hillsborough Deputy Accused of Stalking, Arrested and Fired

In a deeply unsettling development that has cast a shadow over local law enforcement, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy, John Robert Everette, has found himself on the wrong side of the law. The 34-year-old deputy was recently arrested on a felony charge of aggravated stalking, a revelation that has undoubtedly rattled the community and the Sheriff's Office alike.

Sheriff Chad Chronister, never one to mince words when it comes to accountability, personally delivered the somber news. He detailed how Everette, who had been serving as a deputy, allegedly engaged in a pattern of harassment against a woman he knew. And let's be clear, this wasn't just a few unwanted calls; the accusations include the deeply invasive act of placing a GPS tracking device on her vehicle. Imagine the sheer violation of privacy, the constant unease, that must have caused.

The investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office, began quietly in late 2023 when the victim, a woman who had previously told Everette to stop contacting her, bravely stepped forward to report the persistent harassment. It's a testament to her courage, really, to come forward against someone in a position of authority.

What's particularly troubling is that this isn't the first brush with the law for Deputy Everette. Back in 2022, the same woman had actually secured a temporary injunction for protection against him. While that injunction eventually expired, it paints a rather stark picture, doesn't it? It suggests a troubling history that unfortunately escalated to this point.

In response to these serious allegations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has acted decisively. Everette was immediately suspended without pay, and the process to terminate his employment has already begun. As Sheriff Chronister rightly emphasized, there's simply no room for this kind of behavior within the ranks of law enforcement. Public trust is paramount, and such actions erode it significantly.

Adding another layer to this already complex story, records show this marks Everette's second arrest in Hillsborough County. His first, a domestic battery charge in 2020, eventually saw the charges dropped. While the legal outcomes of past incidents can vary, the fact remains that a pattern of troubling behavior appears to be emerging, which makes this recent felony charge all the more concerning for those who expect the highest standards from their public servants.

This incident serves as a powerful and, frankly, disheartening reminder that no one is above the law, especially those sworn to uphold it. Sheriff Chronister's firm stance underscores the department's commitment to transparency and holding its members to the absolute highest standards, even when it means facing difficult truths head-on.