Clay County Detectives disciplined after arresting wrong teen

By Paris Carerra

February 25, 2014 at 10:32 pm EST

Teen arrested for crime he didn't commit

By Paris Carerra

February 25, 2014 at 10:32 pm EST

A case of mistaken identity sends a teenager to jail for 35 days accused of a sex crime he didn't commit.

Deputies at the Clay County Sheriff's Office admit they arrested the wrong Cody Williams. Apparently, there are two Cody Williams with similar appearances and born in the same year.

Four deputies have been disciplined as a result.

Sheriff Rick Beesler wrote in part, "Arresting an innocent person is something we fear far more than letting a guilty person get away. I extend to Cody Lee Williams my apology for this error and we will seek to make things right for him. Detective Hawkins received disciplinary action for his lack of following proper investigative procedures and the supervisors who failed to properly review his work have also been held accountable. This incident is an anomaly for the CCSO and is certainly not representative of the excellent work done by the men and women of this agency day in and day out.”

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