Gay Florida Sheriff's Deputy Allegedly Preyed on Illegal Immigrants

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

An openly gay sheriff's deputy in South Florida who fought homophobia within the police department was actually a calculating sex offender who attacked illegal immigrants, according to court documents.

Jonathan Bleiweiss, 29, allegedly targeted the immigrants because they were afraid to go to the police, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said, citing the records released Tuesday.

Authorities say he scared at least eight different men he pulled over during traffic stops into performing sex acts with him, and demanded their phone numbers and contact information.

He'd then put on the act of a scorned lover when they stopped returning his messages, court documents show.

More coverage at WSVN.com.

Bleiweiss was arrested Monday on 14 charges, including sexual battery by an authority figure and stalking, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

His attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, contends there is no "physical evidence to support the allegations" by "undocumented aliens," the paper said.

Bleiweiss was removed from patrol duty last month, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Click here for more on this story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.