Image via Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
A Florida man went from being a sheriff’s deputy to being a fugitive. What events led this man from being a person who enforces the law to someone who runs from the law?
A DUI Leaves Two Men Dead
In the early morning of April 13, 2022, Joshua Roelofs was speeding down Courtney Campbell Causeway near Tampa, Florida. Dashcam footage from his 2017 Nissan GT-R would later show that as he drove, Roelofs swerved. His vehicle weaved in and out of lanes and straddled the middle lane. He was driving close to 100 mph when he ran into the back of a 2005 Kia Sorento, per reporting by Tampa Bay Times .
The Kia was propelled forward. It flipped multiple times, ejecting all four occupants. Two of the passengers were declared dead at the scene. The other two occupants were taken to a hospital. One would be left with a permanent disability.
Roelofs was not injured. As officers arrived, he stayed on the scene and refused to take a field sobriety test.
Reports from officers say that Roelofs smelled of alcohol and that he had bloodshot and watery eyes. After a warrant was obtained, Roelofs was taken into custody where he had his blood drawn. It showed a .069 blood-alcohol level approximately five hours after the crash. Within the state of Florida, you can be charged with a DUI if you have a blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above at the time of driving.
Related: Stopped and Arrested for a DUI in Florida? Here’s What to Do Next
Former Cop Faces Serious Charges
Roelofs would later be booked into the Hillsborough County jail and charged with two felony counts of DUI manslaughter and two felony counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury. He was released on a $19,000 bond.
After the accident, the Polk County Sheriff’s office confirmed that Roelofs was a former employee. He had been a deputy for five years before he was arrested and fired in 2015 for repeatedly filing inaccurate time cards to increase his pay.
Roelofs went from being a police officer to facing serious criminal charges.
In Florida, felony DUI manslaughter charges carry the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Under Florida Statutes 316.193, a DUI resulting in death is a second-degree felony that comes with a mandatory prison sentence of four years.
Three years after the fatal crash, Roelofs decided he didn’t want to face the consequences of his actions.
Related: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?
An Ex-Cop Turns Into a Fugitive
In April 2025, the time finally came for Roelofs to appear in court. He was supposed to appear before a judge and enter a plea.
It was reported that prosecutors offered Roelofs an agreement for 28 years in prison if he pled guilty. Roelofs’ defense countered with an offer of 10 years, followed by 10 years of supervision, but no official agreement was made.
Roelofs needed to make his plea in court, but he did not show.
The court waited for an hour for Roelofs to appear. After that hour, they issued a warrant for his arrest, and Roelofs’ two attorneys, Deborah Barra and Glen Lansky, withdrew as his counsel.
Roelofs has not been seen since.
Related: What to Expect From a First Offense DUI
A Man on the Run
For weeks, law enforcement has been looking for Roelofs. Police have been searching in Florida along with Columbus, Ohio and northwestern Michigan where Roelofs has personal ties.
Roelofs will now face additional charges for fleeing while on bond. Failing to appear in court can result in a third-degree felony charge with penalties up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Also, failure to appear may also impact Roelofs’ future case and sentencing. Once Roelofs is apprehended and eventually faces his charges, he may face the steepest penalties if found guilty of the crimes.
Anyone with information regarding Roelofs’ whereabouts can call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
Get Help from an Experienced DUI Attorney
A DUI is a serious charge, but it is nothing to run from. Avoiding the situation will only make it worse.
If you are facing a DUI or criminal charge, call an attorney immediately to begin to make the best path for resolving the situation. An experienced DUI attorney will help you assess your case and fight for you to get the best possible outcome.
To learn more about how to manage a DUI case in Tampa, Florida, please visit our DUI resource center. It answers all of your DUI questions and offers resources to support you throughout your case. Then, call 813-226-1023 to talk to TJ Grimaldi to get one-on-one help with your DUI case. TJ Grimaldi is an experienced Tampa DUI attorney who will work by your side to help you get through your DUI case and arrive at the best possible outcome. Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.
