Deputy Accused of Assualt Dropped From Murder Trials

The litany of accusations of sexual assault against a BSO deputy are already beginning to have a ripple effect on the justice system after the State Attorney's office said yesterday that he won't be called to testify in three murder cases.

Jonathan Bleiweiss is facing 29 charges including battery and sexual assault, accused of abusing his power by intimidating and sexually assaulting illegal immigrants and homeless men while on duty.

The State Attorney's office determined that Bleiweiss wouldn't be needed in court for three homicide cases, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Two of the trials are the murders of Deputies Paul Rein and Brian Tephford, both killed in the line of duty. He also won't be called as a witness in the April shooting of a Boynton Beach man.

A spokesman for the State Attporney's office said Bleiweiss only played a minor role in the cases. But another case, in which a suspect was accused of battery on a law enforcement officer - Bleiweiss - has been dismissed.

Bleiweiss, 29, has been sitting in jail since he was arrested on August 3, charged with 15 counts including false imprisonment, stalking and sexual assault. The charges have been piling up as victims continue to come forward to allege abuse.

One of his alleged victims claimed that Bleiweiss placed his hand inside the victim’s underwear and groped him during a pat down in April. A second victim came forward to claim that Bleiweiss had pulled him over, forced him to sit in the back of his squad car, then performed oral sex on him in the back of the car.

Bleiweiss has pled not guilty to the charges, and he's being held without bond and has been suspended without pay.

Other cases involving Bleiweiss are being investigated, according to the State Attorney's office.

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