Florida deputy arrested for inappropriately touching woman he pulled over, sheriff says

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - A Seminole County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching a woman he pulled over, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said in a statement. 

Deputy Sheriff Andrew Bergkvist was arrested Wednesday night on charges of sexual battery and false imprisonment, the sheriff's office said. He was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility without bond. Sheriff Dennis Lemma has also initiated the process to terminate him from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. 

A criminal investigation started Monday after the sheriff's office said it received a complaint that Bergkvist inappropriately touched a woman in a sexual manner during a traffic stop earlier that day. The deputy did not return to the patrol shift after the complaint was received and was suspended the day after following an administrative investigation. 

"We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior, regardless of who commits it," Sheriff Lemma said in a statement. "Upon learning of these serious allegations, our office acted swiftly, and the investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest of Bergkvist. The Sheriff's Office remains committed to building trust with our community, and we will not let anyone undermine that trust. It is our oath and responsibility to uphold the law and support to victims of these crimes, not create victims. 

"Bergkvist’s actions are a complete contradiction of the norms, customs, and values of this organization and the trust citizens place in policing professionals."

Bergkvist had his first appearance in court on Thursday afternoon and looked straight ahead as a judge reviewed the charges against him. He was granted bond but not without some conditions.

"He is to be placed on a GPS monitor," said Judge John L. Woodward, who presided over the hearing. "He is to have no contact directly, indirectly, or through any third party with the individual whose initials are D.S."

Bergkvist bonded out around 4:45 p.m. A woman was waiting to pick him up from the John. E. Polk Correctional Facility. Both she and Bergkvist said they had no comment for the media.

As for an explanation for the deputy’s actions, his lawyer had little to say as well.  "We’ll conduct the investigation, go from there," said attorney James Phillips.

RELATED: Florida officer stopped by sheriff for allegedly speeding, refuses to pull over: 'I'm going to work'

Detectives are looking at footage from other traffic stops initiated by Bergkvist for any possible additional cases, the sheriff's office said. No other incidents or victims have been identified as of Thursday morning. 

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with Bergkvist or any other deputy to contact the sheriff's office at 407-665-6650. 

The state attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit will prosecute the case. 

As of Thursday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told FOX 35 News that the Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission has not received a moral character violation complaint for Bergkvist. 

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office told FOX 35 News that the bodycam footage for this incident will not be made available for release since the criminal and administrative investigation is ongoing. The bodycam video, however, does not show the incident in question. 

Deputy previously got a warning for failing to report evidence

Bergkvist was disciplined in 2022 for failing to submit for destruction a baggie with an unknown white powder seized during a call for service, according to a report obtained by FOX 35 News. 

The baggie was seized in January, but the audit revealing the un-submitted baggie was conducted on October 18, 2022. 

Because of this warning, he was ordered to notify his direct supervisor when he collected any and all items to be submitted as evidence, storage, or for destruction so the items could be reviewed. 

What protections do you have during a traffic stop?

FOX 35 News asked Forensic Studies Professor David Thomas about what rights you have when you’re interacting with law enforcement, particularly during a traffic stop. Thomas wanted to make clear, law enforcement officers can always ask you to get out of your car, and they can always do a pat-down.

"A pat-down is limited to weapons. So that means I'm patting the exterior part of their clothing," Thomas explained. "It's designed to be unobtrusive."

Officers can do pat-downs even to a person of the opposite sex. They’ll use the side of their hand like you might experience at the airport. Searches are different. Those happen if you’re under arrest, rather than simply detained, and because they are more extensive, officers will often call in someone of the same sex to conduct that search.

Bergkvist pleaded not guilty. He has an arraignment coming up on October 3.  The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said it can’t release body camera footage in this case yet because the criminal and administrative investigations are still underway.  Investigators did add that the deputy’s body camera video does not show the alleged incident for which he was arrested.