VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An off-duty Volusia County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was arrested Monday on felony battery charges after an incident at a New Smyrna Beach bar, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Jason Stickels, 44, was arrested by the New Smyrna Beach Police Department after officers responded to a report of a fight at Merk’s Bar & Grill around 4:20 p.m. According to the Sheriff’s Office, witnesses reported Stickels, who was intoxicated, instigated and created unwanted contact with a couple seated near the bar. Witnesses and video footage showed Stickels first battered a 71-year-old woman seated at a table before battering her 77-year-old husband when he intervened. The Sheriff’s Office said Stickels was quickly subdued by a witness and taken to the ground. No injuries were reported. Stickels is charged with two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood addressed the arrest in a social media post, apologizing for the sergeant’s actions. “How to throw away your law enforcement career in 2 minutes. Off duty, stumbling drunk, harassing people who are just trying to enjoy their afternoon,” Chitwood wrote. “I apologize for this soon-to-be former Volusia Sheriff’s Office sergeant’s idiotic behavior today.” Chitwood also said Stickels “is locked up tonight,” offered to buy lunch for the couple involved at Merk’s Bar & Grill, and thanked the witness who intervened, writing, “Nice takedown.”