SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL — A second deputy with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into fraudulent overtime reporting, marking an escalation in a case that has already led to criminal charges against another deputy and the suspension of additional personnel.
Following a review by the Office of the State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit, an arrest warrant was issued for Deputy Kevin Jones, charging him with one count of organized fraud, a third-degree felony. Authorities said Jones turned himself in at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility and was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
Investigators determined that Jones submitted timesheets for off-duty overtime hours he did not work. The alleged conduct mirrors the misconduct previously identified in the same investigation involving falsified overtime detail records.
Jones has been employed with the sheriff’s office since January 2016. He has remained suspended since late August 2025 pending the outcome of the investigation. Sheriff Dennis Lemma has now issued a Notice of Proposed Discipline seeking his termination.
Earlier Arrest Tied to Same Investigation
The latest charge follows the February 2026 arrest of former Deputy Nestor Nieves Jr., who was also charged with one count of organized fraud tied to the same investigation.
Nieves allegedly falsified overtime entries between Oct. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025, and received thousands of dollars in compensation for hours he did not work. He turned himself in at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility after prosecutors determined there was probable cause to proceed with the third-degree felony charge. His bond was set at $3,000.
Nieves, who had been employed by the agency since September 2015, was suspended in August 2025 and served with a Notice of Proposed Discipline for termination.
Investigation Remains Active
Law enforcement officials confirmed that at least one additional deputy remains suspended as part of the broader investigation into alleged overtime fraud. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges could be announced if warranted.
Under Florida law, both deputies invoked a public information exemption available to sworn law enforcement officers. As a result, their booking photographs have not been released.
In a statement, the SCSO reiterated its commitment to accountability and transparency, noting that allegations of misconduct are subject to thorough review regardless of rank or tenure.
The case underscores the legal and ethical expectations placed on sworn law enforcement officers, particularly in matters involving public funds and public trust. As prosecutors continue to examine records tied to off-duty overtime assignments, the outcome of the investigation could have broader implications for internal oversight and financial accountability within the agency.
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