A Florida mother’s violent arrest outside her daughter’s school has drawn widespread outrage and criticism of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The woman, 39-year-old Erika McGriff, is now represented by prominent civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels.
On Tuesday, October 7, McGriff allegedly left her car running and parked in an intersection near IDEA Bassett Charter School in Jacksonville. During a Friday press conference, Sheriff T.K. Waters described her as a “habitual traffic offender with revoked Florida driving privileges,” claiming she illegally parked her vehicle and left it unattended.
Waters said Officer Holton approached McGriff to discuss the situation, but she allegedly escalated the conversation into a physical altercation. Bodycam footage shows Holton slamming McGriff to the ground, pulling her by the hair, and pinning her neck with his knee as she repeatedly screams “help” and “I can’t breathe.” According to her attorneys, she cried for help more than 20 times.
Sheriff Waters alleged McGriff “violently resisted Officer Holton,” claiming she “punched him repeatedly and bit him hard enough to leave a bite mark on his forearm.” He added, “If you violently resist our officers — if you punch them or bite them — you will be arrested.”
McGriff now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and driving with a suspended license.
JSO makes first arrests under Florida’s new ‘Halo Law’
In addition to McGriff’s arrest, two women — Anita Gibson and Jasmine Jefferson — were detained for allegedly violating Florida’s new “Halo Law.” The law creates a 25-foot safety zone around first responders, prohibiting individuals from entering that space or interfering with police activity.
Under Florida Statute 843.31, “harass” is defined as engaging in conduct that causes substantial emotional distress to a first responder without a legitimate purpose. Violating the statute can result in fines, jail time, and even the seizure of digital devices. Ignoring a verbal warning constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor, and repeat offenders may face harsher penalties. Those recording within the 25-foot boundary could also have their phones confiscated.
Gibson and Jefferson’s arrests mark the first enforcement of the new law.
Authorities also reported a fourth arrest related to the incident — a teenage girl, whose name was withheld, allegedly threatened to “shoot up” the charter school following McGriff’s arrest.
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