PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. – A man accused of shooting a Brevard County sheriff's deputy during a prostitution sting at his Port St. John home has been formally charged by the state attorney's office.
News 6 partner Florida Today reports that the state's case against, John Derossett, 65, will proceed on three counts of attempted first-degree murder with great harm in connection with the Aug. 20 shooting.
Derossett is being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail Complex. Investigators said he struck Agent John "Casey" Smith and fired several rounds at deputies, who were attempting to arrest his niece, Mary Derossett. Smith, who was critically wounded, continues to recover
Derossett's niece was charged with solicitation of prostitution and remains at the Seminole County Jail. Lawyers are taking Mary Derossett, 42, to court today for an emergency blood draw and for a 1:30 p.m. hearing at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.
Sheriff's attorneys called for a medical screening to determine if she has any blood-borne illnesses. Sheriff's attorneys said one of the deputies — not the agent who was shot — cut his hand during the confrontation and came into contact with Mary Derossett.
"This petition is an emergency because any delay in testing the blood of Ms. Derossett will cause undue mental anguish to the deputy," the attorneys wrote in the petition.
Before the shooting, Derossett texted an undercover deputy that she would carry out two sex acts for $150 and to show up at her Port St. John home, court records show.
The deputy found Derossett, known by the moniker "Cougar," on a website used for setting up escorts and arranging sex acts.