ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Hillsborough County deputy arrested earlier this week in connection with a domestic violence incident is now facing additional charges stemming from a separate armed kidnapping that occurred last fall, according to a report.
Brian Juliano, 45, was arrested Tuesday and initially charged with armed kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and tampering with a witness in connection with an incident that happened that morning around 5:45 a.m. in St. Petersburg, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Two days later, Juliano was hit with an additional armed kidnapping and assault charges stemming from a separate incident that occurred on Sept. 28, according to a WFLA report citing police records.
Juliano was already in the Pinellas County Jail when he was charged with the additional offenses.
According to the arrest report obtained by WFLA, Juliano pointed a gun at the victim, handcuffed her and spent “several hours” beating her during the September encounter. Police said he also dragged her around by her hair, urinated on her and refused to let her seek medical attention.
“During the abuse, the defendant told the victim he would kill her animals, her, himself, and leave it all for her family to find,” the arrest report said, according to WFLA.
During the Tuesday incident, police said Juliano threatened a woman with a gun during a verbal and physical fight, preventing her from leaving the residence or calling 911 for help.
“This arrest is deeply concerning and does not reflect the standards we expect of our deputies,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Any actions that violate the law or the trust of our community will be met with swift and decisive accountability. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigating agency.”
Chronister has not released a statement addressing the latest allegations against Juliano.
Juliano has been employed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since April 2020. He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigation.