A judge has dropped all charges against 25-year-old Dylan Gentry.
The former Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) deputy was fired in July after his arrest in Fort Walton, for allegedly racing his personal motorcycle and tampering with evidence.
A court last Friday, dropped his charges after attorneys showed video evidence from Gentry’s mounted bike camera.
Gentry's attorney Jay Patel said the footage demonstrated his innocence and that Gentry's arrest was “entirely unjustified.”
"Mr. Gentry had a video camera on his motorcycle that recorded the entire incident," Patel stated in a release. "This video unequivocally demonstrates that Mr. Gentry did not commit any criminal act and that his arrest was entirely unjustified."
Gentry was with the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office for three years, prior to his arrest and termination.
It’s unlikely for the ex-deputy to win his job back at the county, given he passed on the opportunity to appeal the department’s investigative findings.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden released this statement after the charges were dropped:
“Mr. Gentry was terminated for a Category 5 violation of agency policy regarding Conformance to Laws. Following his arrest on multiple charges to include a felony by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and a judge determining probable cause existed for Mr. Gentry’s arrest, our agency investigated the complaint. The findings revealed he violated agency policy, and he was terminated in accordance with our policy but given the opportunity to appeal the findings. Mr. Gentry chose not to appeal his termination. At the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our personnel to the highest standards of conduct, integrity, and professionalism. Our commitment to maintaining public trust and upholding the law is paramount. When any member of our agency fails to meet these standards, I take swift and decisive action to address the issue. To reiterate, Mr. Gentry was afforded due process and had the opportunity to appeal the findings and chose not to. Our agency remains dedicated to transparency and accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that all members of our agency uphold the values and principles that guide our mission serve and protect the community.”OCSO Sheriff Eric Aden