HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Justin Thornsberry, 37, a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The arrest followed a domestic violence investigation that began on April 4 after reports of misconduct were filed.
Detectives determined the incident originated from a personal relationship dispute. The investigation found that a tracking device had been installed on a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Thornsberry, a seven-year employee assigned to the Department of Patrol Services, now faces the following charges:
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (Domestic Violence)
- Installation or Use of Tracking Devices or Tracking Applications (Domestic Violence)
- Stalking (Domestic Violence)
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“This case involves a serious abuse of personal privacy and authority,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Illegally placing a tracking device on a vehicle is a criminal act. Anyone who chooses to engage in this kind of behavior will face the consequences. We hold our deputies to a higher standard, and when that standard is violated, we take action.”
HCSO has suspended Thornsberry without pay pending the results of the criminal and administrative investigations. The Public Affairs Office stated the investigation is ongoing.
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