Detention deputy resigns after trying to bond an inmate out of the Marion County Jail
A Marion County Sheriff's Office detention deputy resigned after he tried to post bond for a jail inmate with whom he had grown close.
An internal affairs investigation concluded that Detention Deputy Noah Mosley engaged in an unprofessional relationship with an inmate and conducted himself in a manner that brought discredit to the agency.
According to sheriff's office records, the final recommended discipline for Mosley was termination. Mosley resigned on May 28, just ahead of being fired.
Mosley, 21, had been with the agency since September 2022 and had no prior law enforcement experience, according to the report.
In May, Mosley told a lieutenant that he wanted to bond out an inmate from the jail, the report states. Internal affairs was notified, and Mosley was told investigators would look into the incident.
The name of the inmate was not released by sheriff's officials. The report says only that the man had served a significant amount of time in prison and was released in December 2023. Two months later, the inmate was arrested on several felony charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle and drug possession. His bail was set at $12,000.
Inmate's interview
Sheriff's Sgts. Kenneth Thompson, Nickolas Frost and Lauren Miley interviewed multiple people while investigating the case, including the inmate himself.
The inmate said he and Mosley talked about sports and became friendly. They called each other playful names.
The inmate said Mosely tried several bail bond companies but was denied. He said he told Mosley to use his (the inmate's) grandmother to assist him with getting the bond, but the woman declined to help.
The inmate said the plan was to give him a place to stay whenever he got out so that he could "get his life together," according to the report. The inmate said he felt he and Mosley "were building an intimate relationship together," and "saw their relationship going further once he was released."
Other interviews
One bail bondsman told investigators that Mosley and his live-in partner considered using their home as collateral for the inmate's bond. But that transaction did not happen.
Mosley's partner told investigators he spoke to the inmate two or three times and the conversations focused on getting the inmate "on the right path," the report states.
The man said he was wary of bonding out the inmate, but was supportive of Mosley, hoping Mosley would reconsider. He said they decided to report their actions to Mosley's supervisor after talking with the inmate's grandmother. The man said if that woman wanted her grandson to remain in jail, then they should do the same, according to the report.
Mosley's interview
Mosley was interviewed by investigators. He told them he gave the inmate his phone number and they spoke. Mosley knows that jail phone calls are recorded.
Mosley said the goal was to help the inmate find a job. He hoped their relationship could advance if the inmate was released.
He said he tried to hide his efforts at securing a bond for the inmate because he felt it was wrong. At one point, Mosley said he felt the inmate was manipulating him.
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The report notes Mosley was previously counseled after being caught playing cards with inmates.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County Jail deputy resigns after trying to bond out an inmate
