A police officer was arrested at a Disney resort in Florida on kidnapping charges, according to multiple reports and public arrest records.
David Cunningham, 22, of Mobile, Alabama, was arrested in Orange County, Florida, on Tuesday, June 3, according to Orange County Corrections Department records.
Cunningham was apprehended in Florida after a warrant was issued for his arrest following a May 24 incident in Harrison County, Mississippi, according to The Independent. He was charged with a felony count of kidnapping.
According to the outlet, the Alabama police officer handcuffed a 21-year-old man at a house party in Mississippi and placed him in the back of his squad car, despite the fact that Cunningham had no official authority outside of his hometown of Prichard, Alabama.
According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HSCO), Cunningham handcuffed the man and placed him in his Prichard County Police Department car after the man allegedly shot the homeowner’s dog during a “recreational gunfire” display, as reported by local news outlet WKRG.
Cunningham allegedly drove away from the party with the 21-year-old man handcuffed in the backseat before being stopped by the HSCO during a traffic stop shortly after, according to the outlet. Cunningham was carrying his Prichard Police badge and weapon, according to authorities, WKRG reported.
While Cunningham was not detained at the time, the HSCO later issued a warrant for his arrest after determining that he had unlawfully detained the other man and that his actions constituted kidnapping, according to WKRG.
According to the outlet, the HSCO also issued a warrant for Kristin Allen, a passenger who was riding with Cunningham at the time and is accused of assisting authorities in creating and recounting various versions of events, thereby impeding prosecution.
Cunningham was eventually apprehended at a Disney resort on June 3. Allen surrendered to authorities in Mississippi on June 2, according to WKRG.
The Prichard County Police Department, Cunningham’s employer at the time of the May incident, issued a statement regarding his arrest, Fox 10 reported. In the statement, they claim to have learned of Cunningham’s involvement in the out-of-state incident on June 2.
“We are currently waiting for an investigative report from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office to gain a better understanding of the situation. It has come to our attention that Officer Cunningham was driving a city vehicle across state lines at the time of the incident, which is a possible violation of departmental policy,” the statement reads, according to Fox 10.
“In response, our department has launched an internal investigation to look into any and all policies that may have been violated in connection with this situation. We take these issues seriously and are committed to ensuring complete accountability and transparency throughout the process,” the police department stated.
On Saturday, June 7, PEOPLE contacted the Prichard Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
According to WJTV, Cunningham is currently being held in Florida on a $500,000 bond while awaiting extradition to Mississippi.
