Practically a dozen firefighters and paramedics have been fired, and 4 are going through felony fees, after a 19-year-old rookie Florida firefighter was allegedly whipped and waterboarded in a violent hazing incident.
The teenager firefighter advised authorities he was hazed Nov. 26 throughout his second-ever shift at Marion County Hearth Rescue’s Hearth Station 21, nicknamed the “friendship” station, after colleagues tried to pressure him to unlock his telephone to look at a viral video he posted on TikTok.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated the incident started when 4 metropolis staff on the firehouse needed entry to a TikTok video from the rookie and “chased him down” within the parking zone.
“As soon as they caught him, they eliminated his pants, took his belt, then started to strike him on the bottom with that belt,” Woods stated throughout a information convention. “The telephone was taken … Whereas they have been attempting to get into the telephone, they took it even somewhat bit additional. They eliminated his underwear, after which once more, started to strike him on his bottom, on his naked pores and skin.”
Woods stated the rookie was dragged via the parking zone, at which level somebody retrieved a water bottle and a towel, and waterboarded him 3 times.
“The sufferer fought and refused to cooperate and made it abundantly clear to every of them that this was outdoors what he thought, possibly, could possibly be perceived as one thing minor, and every of them ought to have identified it,” Woods stated. “Sadly, they took it to this stage.”
Investigative interviews, transcripts and paperwork obtained by FOX 35 Orlando element the alleged assault.
“One got here behind me and like held my arms after which dragged me,” the 19-year-old firefighter advised investigators. “[Tate Trauthwein] takes my belt off my pants, and he begins whipping me in my entrance after which, after that, [Edward Kenny] sort of rolls over to the aspect somewhat bit and [Seth Day] grabs … sort of my leg.”
“I used to be like, ‘ow, ow.’ I’m like, ‘this actually hurts.’ I used to be like, ‘cease! cease!’” the rookie advised investigators. “I couldn’t breathe. … The one factor I stated [after the alleged attack] was that I’m by no means working right here once more after which, after that, I left.”
Ten staff have been fired in whole, together with senior management on the station, and 4 staff have been criminally charged on Nov. 26, in line with data.
The 19-year-old firefighter is again at work persevering with to serve the neighborhood, in line with the hearth division.
Tate Trauthwein, a 19-year-old firefighter/EMT who has been with the division for a few 12 months, is charged with kidnapping, battery and theft; Edward Kenny, a 22-year-old EMT who has been with the division for about three years, is charged with kidnapping, battery and theft; Seth Day, a 22-year-old firefighter/EMT who has been with the division for about two years, is charged with kidnapping, battery and theft; and Kaylee Bradley, a 25-year-old paramedic who has been with the division for about two years, is charged with theft and principal accent to theft.
Bradley, who’s accused of taking the rookie’s telephone and videotaping the assault, acknowledged roughhousing was frequent on the station, however advised investigators a number of the staff “went manner too far,” noting “that’s previous what they usually do as a joke,” in line with a video interview recorded by authorities.
Marion County Hearth Chief James Banta stated through the information convention the incident was a “disturbing violation of every part that this career stands for.”
“What occurred was unacceptable, inexcusable and basically opposite to the core values of our fireplace division,” Banta stated. “Let me be completely clear, these people concerned on this incident forfeited their proper to put on the uniform the second they selected an act and method that endangered, harmed and betrayed a fellow firefighter. Their conduct doesn’t mirror who we’re and what we stand for in our neighborhood.”
Banta added that, outdoors the continued felony case, the hearth division is reviewing the investigation accomplished by the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace, which “could embody the actions or inactions of others who could have been conscious and or current throughout this incident.”
If extra coverage violations are recognized, Banta stated additional administrative actions will comply with.
Investigations by the hearth division and sheriff’s workplace stay ongoing.
