Deputy Quits After Filmed Threatening To Shoot Students

October 1, 2003
CLERMONT, Fla. -- A sheriff's deputy in Lake County, Fla., who swore at
and threatened to shoot unruly high school students has quit before he
could be fired.
Deputy Glen R. Guzman resigned three days after he was suspended without
pay for the Sept. 15 incident on an East Ridge High School bus.

If Guzman had not stepped down, "it was our intention for us to terminate
him," Sheriff's Office Sgt. Nick Pallitto said Wednesday. He was hired in
May 2002.
According to internal reports, Guzman had been called to the school after
a bus driver overheard a student tell another that he had a gun in his
backpack.
Three deputies, including Guzman, were dispatched, and the bus driver
patted down the female students while the deputies searched the male
students and backpacks, a report by Guzman said. No gun was found.
According to the internal report, a surveillance camera aboard the bus
captured Guzman swearing loudly at students and threatening to shoot them
unless they were quiet.
On Sept. 23, Assistant Superintendent Bill Humbaugh, who oversees the
transportation department, filed a report with authorities after viewing
the tape, stating Guzman's conduct was unacceptable.
Guzman resigned Friday.
Clermont is about 20 miles west of Orlando.