A former Sumter County deputy turned himself in Tuesday afternoon after falsely presenting himself as the sole heir of a deceased family member.
According to a statement from Sheriff Pat Breeden, former deputy Devin Denard Daniels, 42, of Wildwood, was fired following an internal affairs investigation that concluded he violated agency policy regarding fraudulent conduct and perjury. A comprehensive criminal investigation determined violations of Florida law had occurred during his activities in Volusia and Sumter counties.
On March 10, Daniels’ family members reported that he had engaged in fraudulent activities regarding a relative who died Jan. 31 in Daytona Beach. On Feb. 26, Daniels had appeared at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within the Sumter County Tax Collector’s Office in Bushnell to transfer the title of a motor vehicle owned by the deceased. During the transaction, he indicated he was the sole heir of the estate.
To support his claim, Daniels presented a death certificate and executed heirship-related documents to affirm he was entitled to ownership of the vehicle. Relying on the documents provided, the DHSMV transferred the vehicle title solely into his name.
The investigation determined this representation was materially false. Detectives learned the deceased was survived by at least two additional heirs who possessed lawful interests in the estate and were actively involved in inheritance-related proceedings. Daniels’ actions in Sumter County were consistent with conduct occurring in Volusia County and were part of a scheme intended to deprive the remaining heirs of their lawful property interests.
With the investigation complete, an arrest warrant was issued Tuesday charging Daniels with making false statements to obtain a certificate of title, uttering a false instrument, scheme to defraud and grand theft.
After learning of the warrant, he turned himself in at the Sumter County Detention Center. He was released after posting $10,000 bond.
Daniels previously served with the Lady Lake Police Department and was honored for his work in 2021.