Jacksonville, Florida – Jeffrey A. Sager has pleaded guilty to assaulting a Veterans Affairs (VA) police officer, as announced by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Sager, 55, could face up to eight years in federal prison for the offense. The sentencing date remains undetermined.
Court documents reveal that on February 13, 2024, Sager entered the Lake City VA Medical Center in Lake City, Florida. He locked himself inside a triage room and began verbally abusing a nurse present with him. In response to a silent panic alarm activated by the nurse, VA police arrived at the scene. Despite officers' orders to open the door, Sager refused compliance.
Upon gaining access to the room, officers saw Sager run down the hallway of the medical center. An officer managed to catch up with him; however, during an attempt to restrain him, both fell to the floor. While trying to escape custody, Sager kicked an officer's shoulder causing dislocation and fracture injuries before additional officers subdued and detained him.
The investigation into this incident was conducted by the Lake City VA police along with Osceola National Forest Service authorities. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.