The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) said a deputy from the Department of Detention and Corrections was arrested and fired for punching an inmate in the hospital.During a press conference on Jan. 29, officials provided det ails on the arrest and termination of 66-year-old Deputy James Jones after a battery investigation.Deputies said 56-year-old George Miller, who was arrested on May 29, 2025, suffered a medical event while in custody and was transported to the hospital for treatment on Nov. 20.Deputies said Miller required surgery, and in accordance with standard practice, deputies remained with him while he was at the hospital.Officials said Miller was in a single-person room and was required to be restrained while in his hospital bed unless he was actively receiving medical care, per PCSO policy.Jones was assigned to guard Miller at the hospital on Dec. 1, and according to the report, Jones reported Miller was throwing a temper tantrum at around 8 p.m.Officials said a registered nurse witnessed Miller and Jones having a loud argument that evening and saw Jones "slam-dunk" punch inmate Miller in the chest.According to the report, the same nurse later saw a contusion around Miller's left cheek and a laceration above his left eye.PCSO said the nurse reported the incident to the hospital, which notified PCSO, and an investigation found Miller did not have any injuries before the argument with Jones.When questioned, Jones said Miller had kicked him, but PCSO said his statement was inconsistent with the facts.The report said Jones was arrested and terminated from PCSO on Jan. 28 and is facing a battery charge.Court documents said Jones had worked for PCSO since January 2021. ...read more read less