Sarasota Sheriff Promotes 3 Deputies to Sergeant

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman promoted three members of the sheriff's office to sergeant during a recent ceremony. The promotions recognize dedication and growth within the agency.

Court Services Deputy Carl Severs was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Court Services Bureau. Severs began his law enforcement career in August 2013 with the Bradenton Police Department. He joined the New College Police Department in 2014 and was hired by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) as a court services deputy in 2016. During his tenure, Severs served as a Field Training Deputy, received three employee of the month nominations, and two Courts and Corrections Deputy of the Year nominations. In September 2019, he received the agency’s Life Saving Award for saving a choking coworker. Severs holds a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science from Rowan University.

Corrections Deputy Kristine Bilhardt was promoted to corrections sergeant. Bilhardt started with SCSO in 2016 as a booking technician. She earned her law enforcement certification from the Suncoast Technical College Criminal Justice Academy and became a sworn corrections deputy. In 2020, she transferred to the booking and intake unit and most recently served as a Corrections Field Training Coordinator. Bilhardt has received four Courts and Corrections Division Employee of the Month nominations, earning the award in May 2023. She was also nominated for the 2024 Courts and Corrections Deputy of the Year. She is a certified breath test operator and holds an Associate of Arts from Florida Southwestern State College.

Corrections Deputy Aleksandra Yefremova was promoted to corrections sergeant. Yefremova joined SCSO in October 2019 as a booking/classification specialist. She earned her law enforcement certification from the Suncoast Technical College Criminal Justice Academy and was sworn in as a corrections deputy in September 2020, assigned to corrections operations. Yefremova received a unit citation as part of the inmate classification unit and earned a Life Saving Award for assisting an inmate with an airway obstruction. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida.

"Promotions are a reflection of dedication and growth," said Sheriff Hoffman. "These individuals have done what it takes to achieve the next level of service within our agency. Their achievements encourage us all to keep giving our all for the Sarasota community."