Sheriff Gualtieri Terminates Corrections Deputy for Battery on an Inmate (26-011)
PINELLAS COUNTY – On January 29, 2026, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a press conference to discuss the arrest and termination of a corrections deputy after a battery investigation.
On May 29, 2025, 56-year-old George Miller was arrested by the St. Petersburg Police Department for Felony Battery, Criminal Mischief to a Place of Worship, and Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling. After being unable to make bail, Miller was held at the Pinellas County Jail pending the resolution of his charges.
Miller was known by Pinellas County corrections deputies as being a problematic inmate as he often caused problems with fellow inmates and jail staff.
On November 20, 2025, while still in custody, Miller suffered a medical event and was transported to the hospital for treatment. During his stay, it was discovered that Miller required surgery. As is standard practice, deputies remained with Miller while at the hospital.
Per policy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Miller was in a single occupancy room and was required to be restrained while in his hospital bed unless he was actively receiving medical care.
On December 1, 2025, Deputy James Jones was assigned to guard Miller at the hospital. At approximately 8:00 P.M., Deputy Jones reported that inmate Miller was throwing a “temper tantrum.” As the night progressed, a registered nurse heard inmate Miller and Deputy Jones having a loud argument at which point she observed Deputy Jones “slam-dunk” punch inmate Miller in the chest.
Later, the same nurse who observed the verbal altercation and punch to the chest observed a contusion around Miller’s left check and a laceration above his left eye. Miller informed her that the deputy “punched the shit out of me.”
The nurse reported the incident to her supervision, who notified the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. This began an investigation and evidence showed that Miller did not have any injuries prior to the argument with Deputy Jones.
When questioned, Deputy Jones alleged that Miller kicked him. Deputy Jones’ statement was inconsistent with the facts.
Deputy Jones was arrested on January 28, 2026, and immediately terminated from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Gualtieri stated, “There was simply no lawful reason for Deputy Jones to strike Miller, and in doing so he committed a crime, he committed a battery… Deputy Jones didn’t act as a deputy sheriff should act, he didn’t act professionally and just handle the situation. He lost his temper and he split open Miller’s eye, punched him in the chest and split open his eye, and he has to be accountable for that.”
View the full press conference here: https://youtu.be/7Ftq8-il-GA
Additional Information:
George J. Miller (Inmate - Victim)
DOB: 01/02/1970
James Jones (Deputy – Terminated)
Age: 66
Date of Hire: 01/11/2021
Charge: Battery
Termination Effective: 01/28/2026
