In a high-stakes trial that captivated the state, a Florida sheriff’s deputy has been acquitted of negligence charges after a botched arrest in 2022 left a motorcyclist severely burned in a fiery incident. Osceola County Deputy David Crawford was accused of mishandling the arrest of Jean Barreto, a 26-year-old biker, during a chaotic altercation that led to him being set on fire after gasoline soaked his body.
The incident, which occurred on February 27, 2022, began when Barreto, part of a group of reckless bikers, allegedly ran red lights, rode on the sidewalk, and sped into oncoming traffic. Barreto eventually stopped to refuel at a Wawa gas station, where Deputy Crawford tackled him to the ground. In the heat of the moment, gasoline spilled over Barreto’s body, setting the stage for a tragic and fiery chain of events.
As Crawford struggled to subdue Barreto, he shouted to his fellow officers to shut off the gas pump. But in a fatal miscalculation, Crawford deployed his Taser, igniting the gasoline and setting Barreto’s body on fire. The result was catastrophic—Barreto suffered severe burns that covered more than 75% of his body, leaving him with lifelong scars and extensive medical bills that reportedly exceeded $7 million.
In a week-long trial that garnered significant attention, the prosecution argued that Crawford’s actions were reckless and inappropriate, pointing out that there was no reason for a deputy to act so aggressively when the situation could have been handled differently. One prosecutor highlighted the absurdity of the deputy charging toward a gas pump with a suspect: “There is no need for one man to run, like a cowboy, and tackle someone off a motorcycle filling up with gas,” he said.
But Crawford’s defense team argued that the deputy was simply doing his job in a high-pressure situation. They claimed that Crawford never intentionally discharged the Taser, but that it went off unintentionally when he threw it aside. “Every single witness, every single video conclusively shows you that he never intentionally discharged that Taser,” his attorney, Michael Barber, said in his closing argument. Crawford himself testified that he was genuinely afraid Barreto might be armed and that, if he hadn’t acted, the biker could have endangered more people.
The jury ultimately sided with the defense, declaring Crawford not guilty of culpable negligence. The decision came as a relief to Crawford and his legal team, with his attorney praising the jury’s judgment and calling the verdict “the right conclusion.”
While the criminal case has concluded, Jean Barreto’s fight is far from over. His legal team is now preparing to pursue a civil lawsuit against Crawford and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, alleging “reckless, excessive use of force.” Barreto’s attorney, Albert Yonfa, made it clear that they will seek compensation for the trauma his client endured. “This case is not over,” Yonfa said. “This was a reckless, egregious act, and we intend to hold them accountable.”
Meanwhile, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has respected the jury’s decision, but also promised to maintain transparency and accountability in their practices. Crawford, who was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident, remains on the job, although his current employment status remains unclear.
This case is likely to reignite debate about law enforcement’s use of force, especially in tense situations. While Crawford’s defenders argue he was justified in his actions, others see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive force and the consequences of mishandling situations. As this case moves into the civil court system, it will continue to raise questions about how far law enforcement officers should go to maintain control—and where the line should be drawn to protect both the public and the officers themselves.
