5 Shocking Facts About FWC Officer Jared Stiltner's Viral Wrongful Arrest Scandal

The controversy surrounding Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Jared Stiltner has become a national flashpoint, raising serious questions about law enforcement conduct and the validity of roadside sobriety tests. As of today, December 17, 2025, the fallout from the viral video of a wrongful Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrest on the Loxahatchee River continues to dominate headlines, with the incident leading to widespread public demand for accountability and even prompting discussions about state-level legislative reform.

The core of the scandal revolves around an August 21, 2024, stop where Officer Stiltner, assisted by Officer Gilmore, arrested a sober father in front of his family, despite the man's repeated protests and eventual proof of sobriety. This article breaks down the most critical, up-to-date facts about the high-profile case that has turned Officer Stiltner into one of the most scrutinized figures in Florida law enforcement.

Officer Jared Stiltner: A Quick Profile & Career Overview

The public spotlight on Officer Jared Stiltner is almost entirely focused on the controversial events of August 2024, but his background provides context to his role within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC is the state agency responsible for managing fish and wildlife resources, and its officers are sworn law enforcement personnel with full police powers, often patrolling Florida's extensive waterways.

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• Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
• Rank/Title: Law Enforcement Officer.
• Primary Area of Operation: The incident occurred on the Loxahatchee River, which falls under FWC jurisdiction, typically near Palm Beach County.
• Prior Experience: Public records indicate a connection to Jarred Stiltner from Spruce Creek High School (Port Orange, FL), where he played football as a Wide Receiver (WR) in 2014. This limited public biography is one of the few personal details available about the officer.
• Public Scrutiny: Prior to the 2024 incident, Officer Stiltner was not widely known. The wrongful arrest instantly made him a figure of intense national scrutiny, with his social media accounts reportedly being made private in the wake of the controversy.

The Loxahatchee River Incident: What the Bodycam Footage Reveals

The single event that catapulted Officer Jared Stiltner into infamy was the BUI stop of a family man and CEO of a Christian private equity firm on August 21, 2024. The video of the encounter, primarily captured on Stiltner’s bodycam, quickly went viral, fueling the public outcry due to the perceived overreach and insensitivity of the arrest.

1. The Initial Stop and the "Slow Speed" Violation

The encounter began when Officer Stiltner and his partner, Officer Gilmore, stopped a vessel on the Loxahatchee River for allegedly violating a "Slow Speed Minimum Wake Zone." This initial violation served as the pretext for the subsequent BUI investigation.

2. The Flawed Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)

Despite the man's immediate and desperate claims that he had not consumed any alcohol or drugs, Officer Stiltner proceeded with a series of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Field Sobriety Tests. The man, who was a CEO and father to crying children aboard the vessel, struggled with the tests, which Stiltner used as justification for the arrest. The man was noted to be cooperative but visibly distraught, pleading with the officer not to take him to jail.

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3. The Wrongful Arrest in Front of Family

Officer Stiltner ultimately handcuffed the father in front of his wife and children, a moment that became the most emotionally charged and widely criticized part of the viral footage. The man was transported to the Palm Beach County jail, where he was held for hours, until approximately 2:30 a.m. the following day.

4. The Undeniable Proof of Sobriety

The critical piece of evidence that proved the arrest was wrongful came from the breathalyzer test administered at the Palm Beach County jail. The test result was 0.00, confirming the man's claim that he was completely sober. Despite this definitive proof, he had already been jailed and his vessel impounded.

Public Fallout, Accountability, and Legislative Impact

The immediate aftermath of the video's release was a firestorm of public criticism, directed both at Officer Stiltner and the FWC's BUI enforcement policies. This single incident has had a disproportionate impact, driving calls for new standards and greater oversight of law enforcement on Florida's waters.

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5. The Call for Firing and FWC Scrutiny

The bodycam footage quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views on platforms like YouTube, leading to an immediate and overwhelming public demand for Officer Stiltner to be fired. Viewers flooded the FWC’s social media pages and phone lines, calling for disciplinary action against both Stiltner and Officer Gilmore. As of the latest reports, the FWC has confirmed an internal review of the incident, though the definitive outcome regarding Stiltner's employment status has not been publicly announced.

6. Legislative Change in Florida's BUI Laws

Perhaps the most significant consequence of the wrongful arrest is the potential for statewide legislative reform. The incident has drawn attention from Florida lawmakers and the Governor's office, prompting discussions about the need for new, more reliable BUI field tests. The current tests are often criticized for being too subjective, and the state is now considering a proposal for new BUI field test standards to prevent similar miscarriages of justice in the future. The case has been cited as a prime example of why FWC boarding powers need to be curbed.

7. The Broader Conversation on Law Enforcement Tactics

The actions of Officer Stiltner have opened up a larger conversation about law enforcement tactics, particularly the use of subjective Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) when a Breathalyzer is not immediately available. Critics argue that officers should rely on more objective measures before making an arrest, especially when children are present. The case has become a symbol for those advocating for greater transparency and accountability from all Florida law enforcement agencies, including the FWC. The man wrongfully arrested has been publicly identified as a church elder and CEO, adding another layer of public sympathy and outrage to the incident.

The case of Officer Jared Stiltner is a clear example of how a single, documented incident can lead to a massive public backlash and trigger a review of long-standing police procedures. The FWC continues its internal investigation, and the public awaits a final decision on the disciplinary action against the officer responsible for the wrongful arrest of a sober father in front of his family.