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Nearly a dozen firefighters and paramedics have been fired after a 19-year-old rookie was fired, with four facing criminal charges florida firefighters He was allegedly whipped and waterboarded during a violent bullying incident.
The teenage firefighter told authorities he being bullied On Nov. 26, he was working his second shift at Marion County Fire Department Station 21, nicknamed the “Friendship” Station, when co-workers tried to force him to unlock his phone to watch a viral video he had posted on TikTok.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said the incident began when four city workers at the firehouse wanted to see the rookie’s TikTok video and “chased him” in the parking lot.
“As soon as they grabbed him, they took off his pants, took his belt and started hitting him in the back with the belt,” Woods said at a news conference. “The phone was taken away… and when they tried to open it, they took it further away. They took off his underwear and started beating him again on his back and exposed skin.”
A video allegedly taken by one of the suspect’s cellphones shows footage of the incident.
Woods said the rookie was dragged across the parking lot, where someone retrieved a water bottle and a towel and waterboarded him three times.
“The victim fought, refused to cooperate and made it clear to each of them that this was more than he could have imagined and could perhaps be considered a minor matter and that each of them should have known that,” Woods said. “It’s unfortunate that they’ve reached this level.”
Investigative interviews, transcripts and documents obtained Fox 35 Orlando Details of the alleged assault.
Video obtained by FOX 35 Orlando shows interviews with four city employees arrested in connection with the incident. (Fox 35)
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“One of the guys came up behind me and grabbed my arm and dragged me,” the 19-year-old firefighter told investigators. “(Tate Trauthwein) took my belt off my pants and he started whipping me in the front and then, (Edward Kenney) rolled to the side a little bit and (Seth Day) grabbed… my leg.”
“I was like, ‘Oh, oh.’ I was like, ‘This really hurts. “I was like, ‘Stop! Stop!'” Rookie told investigators. “I couldn’t breathe… the only thing I said (after the alleged attack) was I would never work here again, and then I left.”
According to records, a total of 10 employees were fired on November 26, including the station’s senior leaders, and four employees were criminally charged.
According to the fire department, the 19-year-old firefighter has returned to work and continues to serve the community.
Tate Trauthwein, a 19-year-old firefighter/paramedic who has been with the department for about a year, is charged with kidnapping, assault and robbery, and Edward Kenny, a 22-year-old paramedic who has been with the department for about three years, is charged with kidnapping, assault and robbery. Seth Day, a 22-year-old firefighter/paramedic who has been with the department for about two years, is charged with kidnapping, assault and robbery; Kaylee Bradley, a 25-year-old paramedic who has been with the department for about two years, is charged with robbery and principal Accessory to robbery.
Bradley, accused of taking rookie’s phone and filming attack, admits Fighting at the station is very commonbut told investigators that some employees “went too far,” noting that “it was beyond their usual level of joking,” according to a video interview recorded by authorities.
The incident allegedly occurred at Fire Rescue Station 21 in Marion County, Florida, according to authorities.
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said at a news conference that the incident was “a disturbing violation of everything this profession stands for.”
“What happened was unacceptable, inexcusable and fundamentally contrary to the core values of our fire department,” Banta said. “Let me be absolutely clear that these individuals involved in this incident forfeited their right to wear the uniform once they chose to act and act in a manner that endangered, harmed and betrayed their fellow firefighters. Their actions do not reflect who we are and what we stand for in our community.”
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Banta added that the fire department is reviewing investigations completed by the fire department in addition to the ongoing criminal case. Marion County Sheriff’s Officewhich “may include the actions or inactions of others who may have been aware and/or present during this incident.”
Banta said if other policy violations are found, further administrative action will be taken.
Investigations by the fire department and the Sheriff’s Office are ongoing.
