HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Justin Thornsberry, 37, a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The arrest followed a domestic violence investigation that began on April 4 after reports of misconduct were filed.
Detectives determined the incident originated from a personal relationship dispute. The investigation found that a tracking device had been installed on a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Thornsberry, a seven-year employee assigned to the Department of Patrol Services, now faces the following charges:
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (Domestic Violence)
- Installation or Use of Tracking Devices or Tracking Applications (Domestic Violence)
- Stalking (Domestic Violence)
“This case involves a serious abuse of personal privacy and authority,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Illegally placing a tracking device on a vehicle is a criminal act. Anyone who chooses to engage in this kind of behavior will face the consequences. We hold our deputies to a higher standard, and when that standard is violated, we take action.”…