The state attorney’s office will not be filing charges against Bryan Villella, the Orange County Sheriff’s deputy accused of beating his boyfriend.
“When it comes down to it, when the attorney reviews the facts and feels we cannot go into court in good faith and present charges, he does not pursue a case,” said state attorney’s office spokeswoman Danielle Tavernier.
Villella, 46, faced allegations that he abused his boyfriend of four years, even forcing his partner at gunpoint to clean up his own blood after one altercation. Victim Joel Carrion initially filed his petition for a temporary domestic violence protection against Villella in spring 2009. According to Carrion, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) refused to launch an internal investigation at that point. Carrion said they only started cooperating after local TV news coverage revealed more of the deputy’s problematic behavior in November 2009. The OCSO’s internal investigation is what led to the case being turned over to the state attorney’s office.
Carrion said they interviewed three witnesses about the allegations, including both Carrion’s and Villella’s ex-wives, and two other witnesses sent e-mails on his behalf.
“Not even the OJ jury can ignore this trail of evidence,” Carrion said.
Carrion said he also provided investigators with medical records, but Tavernier said that “the evidence submitted by law enforcement was insufficient; basically the victim’s allegations had no witnesses, no reports ever filed and no physical evidence for us to pursue it.”
Villella’s ex-wife’s testimony may have worked against Carrion. Her written statement concludes with: “For over 3 years, my son and I have lived in the same complex as my ex-husband and would visit Bryan and [redacted] on a regular basis… At no time did I ever see anything that might have alerted me to believe that [redacted] was being abused.”
It can be surmised from the context of the rest of the letter that the redacted name was Joel’s.
The case cover sheet, provided by the state attorney’s office, reasons the evidence is insufficient as “not credible, conflicting statements, other motives, etc.”
When asked whether Villella’s position as a police officer might be the reason behind a lack of police reports on the violence, Tavernier said, “This one was actually reviewed by our domestic violence bureau chief. She is a big victim advocate, did a review of the case, and I’m sure takes all those things into consideration.”
OCSO said they’re still looking at Carrion’s case.
“The case is currently being investigated by our professional standards section as part of an administrative review,” said Capt. Angelo Nieves.
A previous report from the Professional Standards Section that is part of the state attorney’s office file said Villella declined to participate in the investigation and “as such, there is insufficient evidence to support allegations that Deputy Villella violated Florida State Statutes.”
In the meantime, Carrion expressed feelings of defeat.
“I’ve said it from the beginning, nothing happened, the man got no punishment whatsoever,” he said. “Now I feel like the victim again because they say there’s no evidence, what the hell do you want me to produce? What more do you want?”
After failing to get any action from the OCSO or the state attorney’s office, Carrion sent a letter to the Orange County mayor, all of the county commissioners and city commissioner Patty Sheehan, but he said no one responded.
“I’m done,” Carrion said. “I can let this consume more of my time or I can say I tried my best, I will always know the truth is on my side, and let the record speak for itself. No normal person can read that record and see that evidence and say nothing happened.
“Cops will cover for cops. I’ve said it all along.”
