Florida corrections officer accused of pulling gun on man outside strip club

A Florida corrections officers was arrested after police said he threatened a man with a gun outside a strip club on Jacksonville’s Westside.

Stephen Altstatt, 32, was charged with aggravated assault and impersonating an officer while committing a felony.

The victim, Hernando Clarke, said he was leaving Solid Gold on Blanding Blvd. on Friday night when he was approached by Altstatt, who was armed with a gun.

"I was minding my business. Next thing I know, he comes out of the car with a gun," Clarke said. 
Police said the argument started because Altstatt thought Clarke had touched his wife.

Clarke said Altstatt put the gun in his waistband and pulled it out a second time after Clarke threatened to call the police.

“The second time, he cocked it on me,” Clarke said. “He pointed it at me.”

The report said that, during the altercation, Altstatt claimed he was a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

“At first, I kind of believed him and then I was, like, 'No, you’re not an officer because the way you’re behaving, you can’t be an officer,'” Clarke said.

Altstatt was outside when Action News Jax showed up to his home, but he quickly went inside and shut the garage doors and blinds.

Shortly after, his wife came out and threatened to call the police. She said she and Altstatt had no comment.

Altstatt is a correctional officer at Florida State Prison in Raiford. The department said he was hired in August 2013 and has not been disciplined in the past.

In a statement to Action News Jax, a spokesperson said, “The actions of this officer are unacceptable and do not reflect the thousands of FDC staff across the state who demonstrate the proper values of our Department.”

FDC said it’s reviewing Altstatt’s employment and will move forward with appropriate action.

Cox Media Group