Local Man Arrested for Child Abuse and Gun Charge

A Cedar Key man was arrested on June 15 for child abuse, resisting arrest without violence and improper exhibition of a firearm. Dean Ryan Esposito, 41, was arrested by Levy County Sheriff`s Deputy Allen Breeding following a 9-1-1 call reporting a domestic violence dispute between Esposito and a relative.

Dean Ryan Esposito

The alleged victim, a juvenile, went to a neighbor`s residence and told Dep. Breeding that Esposito had been drinking all day and hit the victim with his fist. Dep. Breeding went to Esposito`s residence and observed him sitting on his front steps with a black pistol in his lap. After he was ordered to put down the weapon, Esposito became upset and went inside the residence armed with the pistol.

Capt. Anderson then responded to the scene and was able to get Esposito to put down the gun. Esposito became upset again and made an aggressive move toward the gun, at which time Capt. Anderson deployed his taser before Esposito could arm himself with the pistol. Esposito was arrested and transported to the Levy County Jail.