Frame from Officer Holton's body-worn camera during the arrest of Erika McGriff, showing the moment of physical restraint after she allegedly assaulted the officer.
JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has arrested two women for violating Florida’s Halo Law after an incident involving a violent confrontation with a police officer outside a charter school.
The arrests of 59-year-old Anita Gibson and 36-year-old Jasmine Jefferson occurred earlier this week, stemming from events on Tuesday, October 7, on Bassett Road.
According to JSO, 39-year-old Erika McGriff had left her vehicle illegally parked and running in an intersection while picking up a student from the school.
When Officer Holton approached to discuss the matter, McGriff escalated the situation by punching the officer repeatedly and biting him, causing an impression.
Gibson and Jefferson, who were part of a crowd surrounding the officer and McGriff, violated Florida Statute 343.31 (Halo Law) by harassing the officer and not maintaining a 25-foot distance to allow safe detention of McGriff.
McGriff faces felony charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and operating a motor vehicle with a driver’s license revoked as a habitual traffic offender, along with multiple traffic infractions.
JSO noted that the incident’s behaviors influenced students at the school, leading to a teenager’s arrest for making threats to shoot up the charter school.
The office stated: “If you violently resist our officers, you will be arrested. And if you crowd and harass first responders while they’re doing their jobs, we will arrest you.”
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested a Black mother outside her child’s school after an officer confronted her about leaving her car illegally parked and unattended. This level of force on an unarmed woman in a school pick-up line is outrageous,” said attorney Ben Crump who posted a video of the arrest on social media.
Florida’s Halo Law, formally known as Florida Statute 843.31 and enacted through Senate Bill 184, establishes a 25-foot “halo” or buffer zone around first responders to protect them from interference, threats, or harassment while they perform their duties.
The legislation defines first responders as law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical care providers.
It makes it unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning, to approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder with the intent to impede their work, threaten physical harm, or harass them—where “harass” means willfully causing substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.
Violations are classified as a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.
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