Arrest of NFL Linebacker Dan Skuta

This video presents previously-unpublished footage capturing the 2016 arrest of then-Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta.

According to Officer Ben Gauntlett’s arrest report (lightly edited for clarity): “On 6/19/2016, at approximately 228 hours, I, Officer Ben Gauntlett was approached by a female subject, Claudia Perez, who informed me that her friend had been hit by a white male subject who was standing at the corner of E. Central & N. Orange Avenue. Perez then pointed at a tall male subject and told me “That’s the guy who hit my friend”.

Based on the alleged battery, I approached the male subject and had him sit on the east sidewalk of N. Orange Avenue. Sgt. Massicotte assisted with this investigation and stood by with the subject as I conducted my investigation.

Perez led me to her friend Amy Sanchez, who was on the south sidewalk of E. Central Blvd. I made contact with Sanchez, who provided a written and verbal statement. Sanchez stated that on 6/19/16, she and her friend Claudia Perez were standing in the area of E. Central Blvd. & N. Orange Ave. As they were standing on the south sidewalk. a white male subject (later identified as Daniel Skuta) approached Sanchez and began talking to her and flirting with her. When Skuta asked for Sanchez’ phone number and she told him no, a verbal altercation ensued between the two. The altercation turned physical when Skuta pushed Sanchez’s face with an open hand, which caused the back of her head to hit a glass window in the 2 block of E. Central Blvd. Sanchez further stated that she did not give Skuta permission to touch her and that she wishes to press charges.

I provided Sanchez with a Victim Rights Pamphlet and asked her if she would like medical attention, however she refused. I did not observe any visible injuries on Sanchez’s person. Claudia Perez provided a verbal statement which corroborated Sanchez’s written statement.

I positively identified the subject as Daniel Skuta by Florida driver’s license. During my interactions with Skuta I observed his eyes to be bloodshot and glassy, and could smell the impurities of alcohol on his breath. Sgt. Massicotte interviewed Skuta on scene, and the interview was recorded by his body worn camera.

I then reviewed IRIS camera footage from the area, which shows Skuta in the area of the alleged battery however does not show the incident. IRIS also shows Perez immediately walk towards the middle of the intersection in order to grab my attention. I placed an IRIS video work request
for the above footage.

Based the above information and statement, probable cause was established to charge Daniel Skuta with violation of on F.S.S. 784.03 / Battery.

I placed Skuta in handcuffs, double locked for safety, and checked for fit. Skuta was transported to 46 W. Washington St (OPD Bike Office) for paperwork and later transported to Orange County Booking and Release Center without incident.”

On 6/23/16 Skuta filed a plea of not guilty, and on July 14, 2016 the State Attorney’s Office filed a “No Information” notice, “information” being synonymous with “charges” in Florida nomenclature.

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