Sheriff: Woman arrested for punching, biting officer at Jacksonville IDEA school
Share and Follow

Sheriff T.K. Waters said an officer attempted to talk to the woman about her running car, but the woman “escalated the verbal conversation to physical violence.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a press conference Friday afternoon, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the arrest of a woman accused of punching and biting an officer outside of an IDEA charter school on Tuesday.

Erika McGriff, 39, has been arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and operating a motor vehicle while having a revoked driver’s license, all third-degree felonies and each punishable by up to five years in prison.


Additionally, McGriff has received multiple traffic citations, Waters said.

McGriff’s arrest stems from a Tuesday, Oct. 7 incident outside the IDEA charter school, located at 1845 Bassett Rd.

McGriff, a parent of an IDEA student who Waters called a “habitual traffic offender with revoked Florida driving privileges,” illegally parked her running car at an intersection near the school and left it unattended, Waters said.

Waters explained that Officer Holton attempted to talk to McGriff about her car, but said McGriff “escalated the verbal conversation to physical violence.”

In bodycam footage shown during the press conference, Holton is seen slamming McGriff on the ground and grabbing her hair after a fist fight between the two in front of a large crowd.

“She violently resisted Officer Holton and eventually, punched him repeatedly and bit him with such force that it left a bite impression on his forearm,” Waters said. “It’s shocking to me that you square up to fight a police officer just maybe when you’re gonna get a citation.”

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Makes First Halo Law Violation Arrests

Two others who had been spectating the incident, Anita Gibson and Jasmine Jefferson, were arrested for violating Florida’s Halo Law, according to the agency.

“This law creates a 25-foot buffer around first responders, prohibiting individuals from approaching within this area or harassing a first responder while conducting their official duty after a verbal warning,” Waters said.

Waters said this incident marked the first time JSO arrested someone for violating the state’s Halo Law.


“So, what’s today’s takeaway?” Waters rhetorically asked. “If you violently resist our officers, if you punch them, if you bite them, you will be arrested. If you crowd and harass our officers or any first responder after a verbal warning, you will be arrested. Officer Holton was simply doing his job.”

Four Arrests Total

The incident lead to four total arrests as of Friday, according to JSO, after the agency announced that a teenager was also charged. The sheriff’s office said the girl, who was not identified, threatened to shoot up the charter school because of what happened.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Alabama rallies from deficit to tie Oklahoma at halftime on pick-six

Alabama Stuns with Dramatic Pick-Six, Levels Score Against Oklahoma at Halftime

Initially off to a sluggish start, momentum seems to be favoring Alabama…
Flyers suspend radio man Tim Saunders for 'blowing me' hot mic comment

Flyers Suspend Broadcaster Tim Saunders Following Unintentional Hot Mic Incident

Tim Saunders found himself in hot water following an on-air blunder. The…
Poland foils ISIS-type bomb plot as Sydney attack triggers UK, Europe terror alerts

Poland Thwarts ISIS-Style Bomb Plot as Sydney Incident Heightens Terror Alerts in UK and Europe

In an effort to avert a potential disaster, Polish officials have successfully…
Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul LIVE: Scorecard and round-by-round updates

Epic Showdown Live: Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul – Real-Time Scorecards & Round-by-Round Thrills!

Pressure on Joshua What implications does this fight have for Anthony Joshua’s…
MAGA civil war erupts at Turning Point USA event

Turning Point USA Event Sparks Intense MAGA Factional Conflict

The first Turning Point USA AmericaFest since the passing of its founder…
Ominous meaning behind Lolita messages in newly released Epstein files

Unveiled Epstein Files Reveal Disturbing Insights into ‘Lolita’ Communications

A recently unveiled batch of images connected to Jeffrey Epstein has ignited…
Cancer added to list of line-of-duty benefits for firefighters

Firefighters Gain Vital Line-of-Duty Cancer Benefits: A Milestone in Health Protection

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a new act that expands benefits…
Florida cold case breakthroughs: Sheriff’s unit cracks two long-unsolved killings

Florida Sheriff’s Unit Solves Two Decades-Old Murder Mysteries

Two long-standing cold cases in Florida, which had baffled investigators for years,…