A Citrus County sheriff’s deputy was fired and apprehended on Thursday, August 20, 2026, after investigators say he grabbed a retail worker by her necklace and made sexual remarks while on duty.
Troy Taylor is charged with one count of misdemeanor violence under Florida Statute 784.03.
The incident occurred at 7 p.m. on August 14 at the Target store in Lecanto. According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor entered the store to alert staff to unusual activities in the surrounding area.
Taylor approached the customer service desk and began talking to an employee wearing a collar-style necklace with a metal loop. The employee inquired if he was there to investigate a parking lot crash. According to investigators, Taylor responded with many sexually provocative remarks, hooked his finger into the loop of her necklace, and drew her closer to him.
Taylor, after letting go, asked the worker her age and continued to make lewd comments. Witnesses informed investigators that the worker appeared uncomfortable and walked away. Taylor momentarily followed her past the counter area before leaving the facility.
At around 10 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a formal complaint regarding the interaction. The next day, detectives returned to the store to obtain security footage. While the video lacked audio, officials confirmed that it matched the accounts given by both the employee and witnesses.
According to officials, Taylor failed to turn on his body-worn camera during the interaction, which violated agency regulation. The agency quickly launched internal and criminal investigations, putting Taylor on administrative leave.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and issued an arrest warrant. On August 20, deputies took Taylor into custody without incident. He was fired when he arrived at the Citrus County Detention Facility.
“It is difficult to express how disappointed I am in Deputy Taylor. “His actions undermine public trust in law enforcement and do not reflect the outstanding work of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office,” stated Sheriff David Vincent in a statement. “I have zero tolerance for those who decide to tarnish the reputation of the Sheriff’s Office and the profession I care deeply about.”
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