Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories

Episode: Her Husband Was Arrested For "False Charges"

Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Dr. Lana Kurchevsky Ernest
Date: August 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host John "Jay" Wiley speaks with Dr. Lana Kurchevsky Ernest about her and her husband David's life upheaval after David—a former Marion County, Florida sheriff's deputy—was fired and arrested on what Dr. Ernest calls "false charges." The discussion delves into the couple's journey from New Jersey to Florida, the pursuit of dream careers, their confrontation with internal law enforcement politics, traumatic fallout, and how they're rebuilding after immense personal and professional loss. The episode highlights the often-unseen burdens that law enforcement families endure and explores the thin line between departmental policy disputes and criminal accusations.

Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction and Background

Timestamps: 00:30–08:09

• Dr. Ernest’s Early Career:
  • Started as a nurse in New Jersey, felt a calling to medicine, worked while attending prerequisite classes and completing medical school.
  • Moved to Florida (Gainesville) in 2019 for her internal medicine residency.
• Husband’s Aspirations:
  • David left a well-paying crane operator job to pursue law enforcement, a family tradition he’d always dreamed of.
  • Entered the academy at age 45 (08:14).
• Quotes:

  "I had a goal and I was working on it. That's what I wanted to do. ... I don't regret it for one little bit now."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (06:45)

2. Culture Shock and New Beginnings

Timestamps: 08:09–16:55

• Comparison of Northern New Jersey’s fast-paced environment with Gainesville’s ‘Southern hospitality’ and college-town feel.
• Both partners were immersed: Lana in grueling residency, David in the police academy and, later, patrol.
• Law enforcement salaries compared; significant pay cut from New Jersey standards.

3. David’s Path in Law Enforcement

Timestamps: 16:22–26:07

• David’s successful completion of the Santa Fe Police Academy; described as proactive, dedicated, supportive, and liked by his peers.

• Assignment to the night shift, patrolling the high-risk Ocala National Forest area.

• The stress and fear for safety that Lana experienced as a law enforcement spouse, alongside her demanding medical residency.

  "Every day, every night he left to work, I used to just pray that he comes home safe."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (25:16)

4. The Onset of Workplace Trouble

Timestamps: 26:07–29:43

• Early success followed by increasing internal pressure:

  • David experienced procedural scrutiny and was held in the sally port over minor infractions, such as "missing punctuation."
  • Notably, a sergeant was critical and disciplinary.
  • Financial stress added to the anxiety due to modest combined incomes.

• The couple decided to approach Human Resources to resolve growing department friction.

  "He was kept in the sally port for hours for missing punctuation. ... we thought maybe, maybe we need to figure out how to diffuse this situation and maybe talk to human resources."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (27:55, 28:58)

5. Retaliation and Escalation

Timestamps: 29:43–33:52

• After their HR complaint, retaliation intensified:

  • David was suspended for "improper activation of his body worn cameras."
  • Reports began to be systematically rejected.
  • The emotional toll peaked when he was forced to surrender his badge and gun, described as a crushing moment.

  "I don't think I've ever seen him this crushed."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (33:52)

6. The Arrest and Its Aftermath

Timestamps: 33:57–40:38

• Nature of the Accusations:

  • The sheriff’s office alleged David lied on police reports—a 'crime of moral turpitude' that brands an officer, making future employment nearly impossible (35:20–35:39).

• Legal Maneuvering:

  • Charged initially with misdemeanors; threatened with felonies if he did not accept a plea deal involving loss of license and probation.

• Community Fallout:

  • The case hit local news, and the couple was advised by counsel to leave Marion County for their safety.

• Charges Dropped:

  • After four years, all charges were dropped due to lack of evidence; the state could not provide particulars and failed to supply requested statements (38:46).

• Enduring Damage:

  • Process consumed prime years, forced relocation, and drained finances.

  "I remember having messages from the attorney telling me that things are going to, you know, he's watching over David getting booked through the jail. And it was hard, you know, when your husband has to give up his badge and his gun and getting booked through the jail for not even understanding what the state thought was a lie.”
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (37:50–38:12)

7. Rebuilding and Advocacy

Timestamps: 40:38–41:41

• David is now running “Rustic Dough Works,” a pizza truck in Palm Coast.

• The couple is involved with The Wounded Blue (Randy Sutton), getting support and telling their story at law enforcement survivor summits.

• The struggle for restitution and justice continues via civil action, but statutes of limitations have vexed much of their legal recourse.

• Dr. Ernest celebrates her specialty in hospice and palliative medicine, forging ahead with her own career despite the setback.

  "After the charges were dropped, it was, it was like a breath of fresh air. ... he couldn't get a job with felony charges hanging over his head, and it took such a financial toll on us.”
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (41:07–41:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Professional Dedication:

  "It's a place in medicine where you look at somebody as a whole and look at their family as a whole."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (05:52)

• On Departmental Politics:

  "My biggest battles by far, not even close, ... was my own department, not the street."
  — John "Jay" Wiley (08:39)

• On Retaliation:

  "Ever since then it was just all his reports were rejected and it just, it was retaliation."
  — Dr. Kurchevsky Ernest (33:32)

• On the Public Perception:

  "Back then when a department said one of their officers did something or it hit the newspaper, I believed it. ... Later on in life I realize a lot of what is said ... you can easily wind up in trouble. And it's not always what you do that caused the problems."
  — John "Jay" Wiley (36:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Move to Florida: 00:30–08:09
• Law Enforcement Calling & Early Days: 08:09–16:55
• Strains of Law Enforcement Family Life: 24:07–26:07
• Departmental Retaliation Begins: 27:55–29:43
• Arrest and Charges Detailed: 33:13–39:46
• End Result, Aftermath, and Lawsuits: 40:06–41:41

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is respectful, candid, and empathetic. Wiley’s law enforcement background adds insider context—both critical and supportive—while Dr. Ernest’s measured, emotionally honest storytelling provides a window into trauma, resilience, and the reality behind police family life.

Further Resources

• Rustic Dough Works Facebook Page: [For updates on David’s new venture]
• The Wounded Blue: [Nonprofit support network for injured and traumatized officers]