Four Marion County Fire Rescue personnel have been arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery and battery in connection with what authorities call the violent hazing of a colleague that involved waterboarding.
At a Nov. 26 news conference held at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Building, Sheriff Billy Woods and county officials condemned the reported actions taken by the accused first responders.
Fire Chief James Banta said he was shocked, disgusted and disturbed by the behavior. He said the actions of a few should not reflect negatively on the majority who come to work every day and serve the community.
Those arrested are Edward Kenny III, 22, an emergency medical technician (EMT); Seth Day, 22, a firefighter/EMT; Tate Trauthwein, 19, an EMT; and Kaylee Bradley, 25, a paramedic.
Kenny, Day and Trauthwein were arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery and battery.
Bradley was arrested on charges of robbery and principal/accessory to robbery.
The sheriff’s office said the four were taken to the county jail, where they were being held without bail.
The chief said each of the four employees had been on the job for less than five years. All four have been fired.
Victim’s interview
According to an arrest report, the incident, described as a hazing, happened on Nov. 16 at Fire Station 21, 7884 SW 90th St., Ocala. It started with a deleted TikTok video.
The victim, who the chief said is 19 and has been on the job for a short time, told those in the firehouse that it was a dancing trend video. The young man told them though it went viral, it was embarrassing, and he no longer had the video. Officials did not identify the victim.
The sheriff’s office said crew members were unsuccessful at trying to find the video online.
The report states Trauthwein threw the victim’s work boots in the woods outside the firehouse. The victim went outside to get his boots when Kenny grabbed the man from behind and both fell down.
From there, the report says, Day held the victim’s feet and Trauthwein removed the man’s belt and pulled down his pants.
Realizing the men were not joking, the victim attempted to get away, but he was held down.
Trauthwein took the victim’s phone and gave it to Bradley, according to the report. The defendants told the victim they would not stop until they got the phone’s password. But the victim refused.
At that point, the report says, Trauthwein whipped the victim with the belt. Bradley was the only person who did not hold the victim, according to the report.
Bradley could not unlock the phone, officials said. Trauthwein removed the victim’s underwear and hit the man’s bottom with the belt, according to the report.
Day is accused of dragging the victim by his feet while Kenny held the man. Someone said the victim should be waterboarded, according to the report.
Kenny and Day held the victim while Trauthwein placed a towel over the man’s face. Water was poured on the towel and the victim “was struggling to breathe,” according to the report. Water was poured on the towel three times, officials said.
The victim was eventually released because he had to go on a call.
At the press briefing, County Commission Chair Carl Zalak told reporters that the conduct of the personnel was unacceptable and he’s deeply troubled. He apologized to the community. Zalak said the firehouse is not a frat house, but a place of business.
Sheriff Woods said the hazing went horribly wrong. He praised the leadership at the fire department and the county.
As for the victim, Banta said the man has refused to take time off, telling leadership he has a job to do.
Woods said it speaks highly of the victim’s character that despite his ordeal, he’s willing to return to his job to protect residents. He said the victim did the right thing.
In a statement, the Professional Firefighters of Marion County said it is aware of the charges.
“This matter is under investigation by the appropriate authorities, and we support the ongoing proceedings. Our 528 members remain committed to proudly serving and protecting the community, and this situation does not reflect the professionalism shown by our Marion County firefighters every day,” the statement says.
Banta said the investigation is ongoing and it’s a possibility that others could face disciplinary actions. The chief said his agency is reviewing its policies and procedures.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County Fire Rescue workers accused of hazing, waterboarding colleague
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
