A veteran Sarasota sheriff's deputy is facing a string of serious charges after a Monday arrest, including attempted murder. 

  • Sarasota deputy attempted to kill woman he had been defrauding
  • Victim is a 79-year-old Sarasota woman
  • Deputy Frankie Bybee charged with attempted murder

According to the sheriff's office, Frankie Eugene Bybee was jailed after fellow deputies said he broke into a 79-year-old woman's home and attempted to kill her by forcing pills down her throat and forcing her into a running car inside of her garage. 

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight told reporters Monday that Bybee, 46 had befriended the victim while responding to a service call in October.

Authorities said Bybee, 46, also sold the woman's dog on Craigslist and forged three of the woman's checks for a total of $65,000. 

Bybee was arrested and charged with larceny, exploitation of the elderly of $50,000 or more, forgery, burglary of an occupied dwelling, battery on a person 65 or older and attempted murder.

Knight said Bybee was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after the deputy's fingerprint was found on the checks that the victim said had been fraudulently signed.

Knight said Bybee attempted to kill the woman and make it look like a suicide.

Bybee, an 18-year veteran of the department who has worked as a detective in addition to being a deputy, is being held without bail. 

Officials said they are investigating if there are any additional victims. 

"The community should know that the actions of Mr. Bybee are in no way reflective of the nearly 1,000 other men and women who serve the public with honor and integrity," Knight said. "It is beyond unacceptable that an individual who works in a position of trust and guardianship to their community, is capable of such heinous crimes. His actions are a disgrace not only to our agency but to law enforcement professionals everywhere. 

"As soon as we learned of these allegations, we took quick action to begin an investigation and in moving forward, will continue to look at the totality of this case. Now that he is off our streets and behind bars, we will let the criminal justice system will take its course."