ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The St. Petersburg Police Department terminated the employment of Officer Ramon Ortega on Wednesday following a Command Review Board investigation into missing department property. Chief Anthony Holloway convened the board to address allegations of negligence after Ortega’s duty belt was recovered in another county.
The incident began on December 30, 2024, when the Pasco Sheriff’s Office contacted St. Petersburg authorities regarding equipment found near a dumpster behind a retail store.
The department’s equipment room confirmed the belt belonged to Ortega. At the time of its recovery, the belt was equipped with a department-issued handgun, holster, magazines, and a Taser, along with various other items…