A Polk County Sheriff’s Office civilian member who works in the jail food services section was arrested and charged with one count battery domestic violence (M1) — he was suspended upon his arrest, and the investigation is ongoing.
Marquarious Gaskins is 22 years old and was hired in 2021. He lives in Winter Haven with his girlfriend, who is also a civilian agency member.
Gaskins applied to be a detention deputy and during the second background investigation (all applicants undergo a background check before hire, this was an additional one for consideration to be a deputy) investigators learned from a neighbor that there was recent arguing and screaming coming from the house where Gaskins and the victim live.
When deputies interviewed the victim, they observed a cut on her lip and a broken acrylic fingernail. She told deputies the couple got into an argument that escalated, leading her to go into the bathroom to retreat. Gaskins banged on and kicked the door until it opened, and the door hit her in the face. Her nail was broken as they fought over control of a cell phone.
Gaskins was booked into the Polk County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.
“Both the victim and Gaskins were completely honest and cooperative during this investigation, which is still underway. He is no longer a candidate for a detention deputy or deputy sheriff position at this time.” – Grady Judd
