By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 22, 2001
TAMPA -- A Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy was
suspended for 15 days after an internal investigation
determined that he arrested and harassed a man because of
a personal vendetta.
Investigators said Deputy Arturo Peralta acted with conduct
unbecoming a member of the Sheriff's Office and left his
assigned work area.
On Feb. 20, Peralta drove from his patrol area in the county
around Carrollwood to the Crazy Buffet restaurant at 2702
N Dale Mabry Highway, inside city limits. He testified that
his wife, Tammy Peralta, was eating lunch there and called
him because she spotted William J. Guay,
a man she hadn't
seen in years.
Guay, the investigation revealed, was supposed to marry
Mrs. Peralta's cousin years ago but backed out at the last
minute. Deputy Peralta said in interviews that Guay used to
abuse his wife's cousin and also took large quantities of
money from their family. Peralta said he went to the
restaurant to arrest Guay because he figured Guay would
have outstanding arrest warrants.
Guay spent four years in Florida State Prison for grand theft
and also has been charged with embezzlement and larceny in
California and Michigan. But in February, there were no
outstanding warrants. Guay's license was suspended, so
Peralta tried to arrest him for driving with a suspended
license but couldn't because he didn't actually see Guay
drive to the restaurant.
In the end, Peralta had to let Guay go, but not before
embarrassing him in front of potential investors in his financial
planning company, Guay told investigators.
At first, based on the severity of the charges, Peralta faced
dismissal from the Sheriff's Office. But after reviewing the
evidence, Maj. Robert DeLuna recommended a 15-day
suspension. Peralta returned to duty May 6.