Name: Fred Hawkins Jr. applies for pre-trial diversion, could get cop-impersonation charge dropped
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Fred Hawkins Jr. applies for pre-trial diversion, could get cop-impersonation charge dropped

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AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelOct 13, 2020 at 4:18 pmState House candidate and suspended Osceola Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. has applied for a pre-trial diversion that could lead to his felony charge of impersonating a law enforcement officer being dropped, court records show.Hawkins was arrested in July following an investigation into a November incident in which he flashed an honorary Osceola County Sheriff’s Office badge, declared he was “a sheriff”, and pushed his way past a security guard who wouldn’t allow him into a Turnberry Reserve Homeowner’s Association meeting.AdvertisementThe incident was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which arrested him. The honorary badge granted Hawkins no police powers, FDLE said.In a statement, Hawkins' campaign said he entered the diversion agreement to “bring this matter to a speedy and certain dismissal," and that Hawkins had “tried to bring law and order to a volatile situation” at the HOA meeting.Advertisement“I am glad to get this behind me and have said throughout this process that I was innocent of this allegation. The fairness of the criminal justice system and my faith in these proceedings serve as a reminder that a person is innocent until proven guilty," the statement reads. "I look forward to continuing my campaign for House District 42 based on my record of principled and community-based leadership.”State attorney Aramis Ayala confirmed the agreement, which will last one year and require Hawkins to take an impulse control class, do community service as well as pay fines and “thousands of dollars for the cost of the investigation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”“If the defendant completes the above-listed requirements, then the State will dismiss the case. If he does not complete the terms outlined in his pretrial diversion contract we will proceed with traditional prosecution,” she said in a statement.WeeklyGet latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. &gt; Following the arrest, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Hawkins from his post on the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, but Hawkins remained a candidate for State House, and was put on the defensive in a contentious four-way primary.Hawkins won, but the controversy brought his general election race against Democrat Barbara Cady under renewed scrutiny. The seat, House District 42, has long been held by Republicans, including incumbent Mike La Rosa, who can’t run due to term limits, but Democrats have a six-point advantage in voter registration.Cady said the diversion doesn’t change the fact that Hawkins was arrested.“It doesn’t change what happened," she said. "It doesn’t change the fact that he made a poor decision to do what he did at that meeting, he was arrested and he used his power and influence to get the charges reduced.”In previous interviews, Hawkins has maintained the charges would be resolved in his favor and pointed out the results of the HOA election were thrown out by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.Advertisement“I will stand up for citizens,” Hawkins said in the September interview. “Could I have handled it better? Yes, absolutely. I’ll admit that to you.”rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com Advertisement

AdvertisementBy Orlando SentinelOct 13, 2020 at 4:18 pmState House candidate and suspended Osceola Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. has applied for a pre-trial diversion that could lead to his felony charge of impersonating a law enforcement officer being dropped, court records show.Hawkins was arrested in July following an investigation into a November incident in which he flashed an honorary Osceola County Sheriff’s Office badge, declared he was “a sheriff”, and pushed his way past a security guard who wouldn’t allow him into a Turnberry Reserve Homeowner’s Association...

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Fred Hawkins Jr. applies for pre-trial diversion, could get cop-impersonation charge dropped

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