Four fire and rescue workers in Florida have been arrested and dismissed from their posts following a disturbing hazing incident that saw a teenage recruit beaten and subjected to a simulated waterboarding.
A "Disturbing Violation" of Trust
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods addressed reporters on Wednesday, 27th November 2024, detailing the alleged assault that took place on 16th November at Fire Station 21 in Ocala. The victim, a young trainee firefighter, was reportedly smeared with grease, chased through a car park, and had his trousers pulled down before being beaten with his own belt.
According to an arrest affidavit, the situation escalated when the group of older firefighters attempted to gain access to the victim's mobile phone. They wanted to view a viral TikTok video he had appeared in. When the trainee refused to surrender his password, the event turned violent.
The Details of the Assault
The sheriff's office reports that Edward Kenny III, 22, and Seth Day, 22, restrained the victim on the ground after Tate Trauthwein, 19, threw his boots into a nearby wood. Trauthwein is then alleged to have removed the trainee's belt and used it to beat him while his trousers were down.
When these efforts to obtain the phone password failed, Kaylee Bradley, a 25-year-old paramedic, who was in possession of the device, took photographs of the victim on her own phone. The ordeal culminated in Trauthwein holding a towel over the recruit's face while his accomplices poured water onto it, an act that simulates the torture technique known as waterboarding.
The victim was only released when a service call came into the station. He returned to work immediately following the attack and reported the incident three days later.
Fallout and Condemnation
All four individuals involved have been fired from their positions. Kenny, Day, and Trauthwein face charges of kidnapping, robbery, and battery. Bradley has been arrested for robbery and being an accessory to robbery.
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta did not mince words during the press conference, describing the event as the "most egregious thing" reported to him in his three-decade career. He stated it was a "disturbing violation of everything this profession stands for."
"Let me be absolutely clear, these individuals involved in this incident forfeited their right to wear the uniform the moment they chose an act and manner that endangered, harmed and betrayed a fellow firefighter," Chief Banta added. He also confirmed that the victim, showing immense dedication, had refused offers of time off to recover, insisting he had a job to do.
