On July 4, 2019 just before 8:30 p.m., an off-duty Lee County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling eastbound on I-4 in Hillsborough County when a black Crown Victoria with white and amber lights pulled behind him with the emergency lights activated.
The Lee County deputy pulled to the shoulder and the Crown Victoria pulled beside him. 35 year-old Barry Lee Hastings Jr. told the deputy to “slow down.” The deputy challenged him for credentials twice, to which Hastings responded he is a law enforcement officer and his credentials were at the office. He told the deputy he could follow him back to the “station” so he could obtain and show him his credentials.
The deputy then told Hastings he was going to get law enforcement involved and dialed 911, at which point Hastings fled eastbound on I-4. He exited on Branch Forbes and was stopped by a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy, where he was detained while the off-duty deputy was interviewed.
A functional siren box and light setup, similar to HCSO’s, was discovered within the Crown Victoria. There was also a CB radio. No handcuffs or firearms were located in the vehicle.
Hastings was placed under arrest for Impersonating a Public Officer.
