Man claimed to be tracking a missing girl as a US Marshal on a Deltona street; investigators believe he was working an insurance case.
A former Miami-Dade police officer who was terminated from his job earlier this year was arrested in Volusia County last week on a charge of impersonating a police officer.
Paul Fluty, 39, was taken into custody on Monday after deputies responded to a home on Shepherd Avenue in Deltona. Authorities had been alerted to a man parked in a private driveway who was reportedly looking for a missing girl.
When deputies arrived, Fluty identified himself as a Miami-Dade police officer actively working with the U.S. Marshals Service. He displayed a badge and a photo of his credentials to the responding officers. Fluty told deputies that the girl was not officially listed as missing, but he was tracking her cell phone’s location.
However, further investigation by detectives quickly determined that Fluty is no longer employed by the Miami-Dade police department and is not affiliated with any federal task force.
Following his arrest, Fluty attempted to explain his actions, stating he displayed his old badge and credentials “out of habit” and “by mistake.” He also claimed he “accidentally” told deputies he was still a police officer.
Documentation gathered during the investigation, however, suggested a different motive for his presence in Deltona. Detectives now believe Fluty is working as a private investigator and may have been in the area conducting an insurance investigation.
Fluty was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail on Monday night. He was released the following afternoon after posting a $2,000 bond.
READ: Indiana Mom Arrested After Giving Teens Vodka, Leaving Them In With Toddler Found Wandering
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
