NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A New Smyrna Beach police officer is accused of choking her fiancé during a fight over her infidelity, according to investigators.
Jessica Schuchardt, who is an officer with New Smyrna Beach police, was arrested at her home Tuesday, records show. Schuchardt has been with the department since 2021, according to New Smyrna Beach’s Deputy Chief of Police Chris Kirk.
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According to an arrest affidavit, officers were called to a home for a domestic violence call. The address was redacted.
Investigators said they made contact with the victim who said Schuchardt had come home drunk from a friend’s house around 1:30 p.m. The victim said Schuchardt had gone to bed but left her phone on a counter, records show.
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Officers said the fiancé saw messages on the phone between Schuchardt and another man discussing their acts of infidelity. The victim told investigators he became enraged and stormed into the bedroom, telling Schuchardt to get out, the affidavit said.
The victim said he then confronted Schuchardt with the lewd messages at which point she grabbed him by the throat and shoved him into the corner of the room, records show.
The man said he was able to break free, but she grabbed his neck again before eventually jumping on his back and putting him in a “rear-naked chokehold,” the affidavit said.
Investigators said the man was able to break away and eventually called 911, but was hit several times before he was able to do so. The victim said Schuchardt threatened to blame him for bruises on her legs, records show.
When questioned, Schuchardt said she had tried to take the victim’s phone from him when he threatened to call 911, but denied any other physical contact, according to the affidavit. Officers asked why the victim would call 911 if nothing physical had happened, and Schuchardt claimed he did it out of spite, investigators said.
Investigators said they asked Schuchardt about the bruises on her legs. She said she sustained the bruises during bicycle training, according to the affidavit.
Schuchardt faces a felony charge of domestic violence by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge.
News 6 has reached out to New Smyrna Beach police about the officer’s arrest. We received this statement:
“Patrol Officer Schuchardt was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and related internal affairs investigation. A disciplinary determination will be made at the conclusion of the investigation.”
New Smyrna Beach Police Department
Schuchardt’s $6,000 bond was posted March 6 by New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, News 6 confirmed with the city.
In a statement, the mayor’s office said Cleveland took it upon himself to bail Schuchardt out and emphasized “in the strongest possible terms” Cleveland’s alleged noninvolvement in “city administrative matters, employment issues, or law enforcement investigations.”
Mayor Fred Cleveland’s role as cash depositor for Ms. Schuchardt was voluntarily undertaken in his individual capacity, and we emphasize in the strongest possible terms that he has no role in city administrative matters, employment issues, or law enforcement investigations.
Phillip Veski, public information officer for the city of New Smyrna Beach | March 14, 2024 statement
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, Harbor House’s hotline is always available. You can call or text: 407-886-2856.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233.
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