Investigation alleges sexual harassment within Holly Hill police

HOLLY HILL, Fla. — More documents have been released that further detail the investigation into the Holly Hill Police Department.

Earlier this week, reports were made public regarding inappropriate incidents allegedly involving officers and staff members of the department. In a report from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, investigators describe allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in a toxic work environment.

Within the pages, details are included about what female officers and staff say they experienced, involving not only some of the department's top leaders, but also the former chief himself.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office report describes the culture that many within the department have called “toxic” and sexual in nature.

“I think when you read these women's interviews, you'll wonder how these things could happen in 2024,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said earlier in the week.

The investigation began in February when former Holly Hill Police Chief Jeff Miller asked the sheriff's office to investigate a complaint made by a female officer about her male supervisor.

The investigation led to a larger investigation, which led to the resignations of several department heads, including Miller, Capt. Chris Yates and Sgt. Shannon Fountain.

The report details interviews with current and former officers and staff who alleged that the sexual acts were not only discussed in the presence of others, but were committed in front of them.

Those interviewed told sheriff's office investigators that the elder Miller and Yates allegedly asked the women to expose themselves. In one incident detailed in the report, the now-former chief is accused of cornering a female police officer in a file storage room and telling her to lift her shirt.

Another staff member claimed the chef exposed himself and touched himself in front of her.

When Miller was questioned during the investigation, he allegedly told officers he had a significant number of text messages from women in the police department that allegedly showed they had initiated the contact.

However, investigators wrote in the report that Miller did not show them any of the messages he claimed to have.

The report shows that in September 2023, a former officer sent an email to the city manager expressing concerns that the department's work environment was hostile and sexual. Investigators note that following this email, no action was taken and the report states that the city manager believed the former police officer was a “disgruntled employee.”

“As a result, no one was interviewed and there was no documentation of the allegations,” the sheriff’s office report states. “This oversight by City Manager (Joe) Forte has allowed serious allegations to go uninvestigated and unresolved.”

After the sheriff's office report was released, Forte released a statement that said in part:

“The actions of the Chief, Captain and Sergeant appear contrary to the very principles they are charged to uphold and uphold within our community. It is imperative that we continue the process of restoration within the Police Department Holly Hill.”

A fourth department head – Sgt. Tom Bentley – faces disciplinary action.

On Wednesday, Spectrum News spoke with new Holly Hill Police Chief Byron Williams, who currently serves as captain of the Daytona Beach Police Department.

“I am a man of integrity, I am a responsible man, I am a transparent man. These are some of the things I want to bring to the town of Holly Hill and the residents of Holly Hill,” said Byron Williams.

Williams will be sworn in next month and take office on July 15.