Four Marion County Fire Rescue employees have been arrested following a violent hazing incident that allegedly occurred at a local fire station.
On Sunday, November 16, the male victim was working at MCFR Station 21, which is located at 7884 SW 90th Street in Ocala, when several of his co-workers began “hazing” him, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
MCSO stated that the victim tried to ignore the other employees while focusing on his duties at the fire station. However, later that evening, the actions against the victim allegedly “escalated and became more violent.”
Specifically, one of the victim’s co-workers – identified as 19-year-old Tate Trauthwein – allegedly threw the victim’s boots into the nearby woods. When the victim attempted to retrieve his boots, another co-worker – identified as Edward Kenny III – allegedly grabbed the victim from behind.
Moments later, the victim and Kenny both fell to the ground. Kenny and another MCFR employee, 22-year-old Seth Day, then allegedly held the victim down on the ground while Trauthwein removed the victim’s belt and pulled the victim’s pants down, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office said in a media release that Trauthwein and another MCFR employee, 25-year-old Kaylee Bradley, then allegedly proceeded to snatch the victim’s cellphone and demanded the passcode for the device. The victim refused, which allegedly prompted Trauthwein to whip the victim with the belt while Kenny and Day continued to hold the victim on the ground.
The victim’s cellphone eventually locked after several incorrect passcodes were entered on the device.
Trauthwein allegedly proceeded to pull down the victim’s underwear before striking him with the belt. According to MCSO, the victim was then dragged to another location, where he was allegedly held down by Kenny and Day while Trauthwein covered his face with a towel and poured water over it.
Shortly after the victim was “waterboarded,” he was allegedly released by Trauthwein, Day, and Kenny. When MCFR supervisors were informed of the incident, they immediately contacted MCSO to conduct an investigation.
According to the sheriff’s office, the ensuing investigation led to the arrests of Trauthwein, Kenny, and Day on the following charges: kidnapping, robbery, and battery. The fourth MCFR employee, Bradley, was also arrested and charged with robbery and principal/accessory to robbery.
After the arrests of the four MCFR employees, the Professional Firefighters of Marion County released the following statement:
“[We] are aware of the charges recently brought against several firefighters. This matter is under investigation by 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 Professional Firefighters of Marion County is a labor union organization that represents nearly 600 active and retired first responders who work for, or have retired from, Marion County Fire Rescue.
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Source: ocala-news
