Jackson County Residents Call on Sheriff's Office to Change Practices

MARIANNA, Fla. (WMBB) — Jackson County residents gathered at a town meeting Tuesday night to discuss changes they are demanding to see at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

They say MPs need to change the way they treat the citizens they serve.

“Let me tell you, there are other issues that are about to come to the forefront in Jackson County that have gone unaddressed for far too long,” said Adrian Abner, president of the Jackson County NAACP branch.

This discussion stems from the alleged wrongful arrest of Ervin Mathis.

On July 4, 2022, the 61-year-old was arrested by Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a domestic violence call. The physically disabled man told deputies they had gone to the wrong house, but they took him into custody anyway. Many say this behavior is a systematic problem that has existed for years, not just during Sheriff Donnie Edenfield’s tenure.

“There are people of all races who have issues with our law enforcement here in Jackson County. I see it as a people-to-people issue, and we see a trend more in people having a voice and speaking out and saying something about things. It’s not just about race,” Abner said.

Residents say sheriff's deputies surveil them or use intimidation tactics to keep them quiet about issues like the Mathis case. Jackson County resident John McKinnie says he saw patrol cars parked outside his home several times after he reported the case.

“They followed me to my door. They were about 300 or 400 yards from private property. I asked them what they were doing and they told me they were just going down Tanglewood Road. I said Tanglewood Road was private property. I turned around, went back and got in my truck,” McKinnie said.

Residents were given the opportunity to fill out appeal forms at the meeting. This gave them the opportunity to share more information about the Mathis case or other personal issues.

“These forms are used when people have complaints, legal grievances. They submit their form and we review it, our legal appeals committee. Often times, like in Mathis’ case, that form can be escalated. The Mathis case was escalated from our branch to our Florida state conference,” Abner said.

The Jackson County NAACP branch is also investigating the sheriff's office's patterns and practices.

“When we look at trends and practices, we look at incidents that have occurred that may reveal a trend or pattern of unequal treatment of people or ignoring people. Trends and practices are there to address behaviors and practices that need to be looked at and studied further by entities outside of Jackson County,” Abner said.

Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield spoke publicly about the Mathis case for the first time Monday. He said his deputies followed proper protocols and that he supports any investigation residents feel is necessary.