Alabama teen charged with battery after spitting on deputy: WCSO

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disruption resulting in the arrest of an intoxicated teen for battery on a deputy.

The incident occurred at a Santa Rosa Beach tennis court on North Winston Lane. Authorities said upon arrival the teen attempted to fight others around him.

WCSO deputies said the suspect was 17-year-old Joseph Whatley visiting from Mountain Brook, Alabama. Whatley was also verbally harassing players leading the interaction to escalate to physical violence, according to deputies.

At one point the teen reportedly shoved a patron down to the ground when asked to leave, authorities said. The patron reportedly pinned the Whatley down until deputies arrived.

Deputies said they immediately saw signs and behaviors of intoxication. Authorities also said they found a 1.75 liter of vodka in the teenager’s backpack.

As deputies attempted to put Whatley in custody he reportedly shouted profanity words to his mother and multiple deputies. Whatley then spit in a deputy’s face, WCSO deputies said.

Whatley was charged with battery of an officer, battery, obstruction without violence, and possession of alcohol by a person under 21 years of age.

Whatley was transported to the Walton County Jail and transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Crestview.

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