Former Hempstead County Sheriff Deputy Arrested on Warrant

A former Hempstead County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on a warrant for an incident that occurred on September 11th. Thirty two year old Joe Bradford is charged with third degree battery, a class A misdemeanor. The arrest follows a complaint filed by a female subject whom Bradford had arrested who told investigators that he had struck her in the face while she was handcuffed. Bradford was placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of an internal and criminal investigation into the allegations. Once the internal investigation was completed Sheriff James Singleton fired Bradford on September 24, 2019 and had investigators refer the case to the Prosecuting Attorney to review.

On October 8, 2019, a Probable Cause Affidavit was prepared by investigators and reviewed by the Prosecuting Attorneys Office and On October 15, 2019 a Warrant from Hempstead County Circuit Court was issued and signed by Judge Wright. Bradford was arrested the same day by Inv. Gary Dorman and placed in the Hempstead County Detention Center where he had a first appearance before Judge W.M. Randal Wright. Judge Wright released him and set a November 12, 2019 Court date to appear in Circuit Court.