Sanford police lieutenant accused of head-butting, punching woman

SANFORD, Fla. –A Sanford Police lieutenant is being held without bond after deputies said he head-butted and punched a woman.

Deputies detained and then arrested Lt. Joseph Santiago at the intersection of State Road 46-A and Interstate 4 in the early-morning hours on Saturday.

According to an arrest affidavit, one of two altercations happened about 40 miles northeast in Daytona Beach, where Santiago and the victim were allegedly barhopping.

The victim told deputies Santiago “did not like what she said,” so he “head-butted” her.

Later, at a Seminole County address that’s blacked out on the report, deputies say the victim claims Santiago “balled his fist” and punched her “in the face” making her nose bleed.

The victim was taken to a hospital. Santiago was taken to jail and booked on a charge of battery and domestic violence.

Sanford Police Department Chief Cecil Smith placed Santiago on leave pending an internal investigation.

“We hold our officers, regardless of rank, to the highest standards of conduct and ethics both on duty, and in their personal lives,” Smith said in a statement. “We will conduct a fair and thorough internal investigation into the incident, and be as transparent in that process as possible.”

It is likely Santiago will face a Seminole County judge for an initial appearance on Sunday morning.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON RIGHT NOW: