Orange County deputy arrested, linked to Winter Springs carjacking investigation, sheriff says
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested Sunday by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office amid the investigation into the carjacking and kidnapping of a Florida woman in Winter Springs, officials said.
Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead, Florida, was carjacked and kidnapped at gunpoint last week at an intersection in Winter Springs. Hours later, a vehicle believed to be hers, a Dodge Durango, was found on fire at a construction site in Osceola County, and a body was inside the SUV.
Francisco Estrella Chicon, who was hired by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in September 2022, was arrested and booked into the Seminole County jail on five charges:
- Interception of wire, oral or electronic communication
- Disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communication
- Disclosure or use of confidential criminal justice information
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Accessing computer or electronic devices without authorization or exceeding authorization
"These are very serious criminal allegations. It is completely unacceptable for any law enforcement officer to misuse the power and authority of their job," said Sheriff John Mina. "At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards, and we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law within our ranks."
Seminole County Sheriff update on Winter Springs carjacking
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma provides update on a Florida woman who was carjacked in Winter Springs, and whose vehicle was found on fire in Osceola County. Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, is believed to have been found dead inside the vehicle. It’s been declared a homicide investigation. Here is the full press conference.
According to Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma and the arrest affidavit, the Orange County deputy's wife was childhood friends with Katherine's husband and brother.
As the husband and brother were headed to Seminole County from South Florida, someone contacted the deputy's wife and asked them to pull information on the Seminole County detective in charge of the case, Sheriff Lemma said.
The Orange County deputy allegedly searched the detective's home address, phone number, and other information and sent that to the husband and brother via WhatsApp, a popular messaging app.
"The deputy then picks up the phone, calls our detective, and gives a false name, and identified himself as a detective with the Orange County Sheriff's Office wanting to get information on this case," Sheriff Lemma said.
Seminole County detectives discovered these communications while searching the husband's cell phone. Sheriff Lemma said Katherine's husband willingly provided his cell phone and has been cooperative with the investigation.
"These are very serious criminal allegations. It is completely unacceptable for any law enforcement officer to misuse the power and authority of their job," said Sheriff John Mina. "At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards, and we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law within our ranks."