Man alleges Volusia Sheriff’s Office suppressed deputy bodycam evidence in sister’s killing; asks County Council to investigate

Robert Flaherty of Deltona addressed the Volusia County Council during public comment on June 2, saying he possesses deputy body-worn camera footage that he believes identifies the person who killed his sister and alleging the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office suppressed that evidence.

Flaherty told the council the driver’s brother arrived on the scene before the investigator and lobbied officers for “blue shield favors.” He said an investigator told Judge Dempsey in court he did not have evidence and declined offers of a continuance to produce evidence; in later internal affairs interviews the investigator again said he did not have evidence. Flaherty said the video his family has contradicts those statements and amounted to “blatant misconduct or worse.”

Flaherty asked that the Volusia County Council “discover and share why the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office suppressed this evidence,” and he asked the council for help explaining why a retired police officer was found not guilty in a related proceeding. The council did not take formal action during the public-comment period; no sheriff’s office representative made a public reply during the meeting.

Ending: Councilmembers acknowledged the comment and directed staff to ensure the concern is routed to appropriate officials for follow-up; no formal council investigation or action was initiated at the June 2 session. Flaherty’s allegations describe potential criminal and internal-affairs issues that would likely require sheriff’s office, prosecutor and court records to resolve.