The Brief
- One Marion County firefighter allegedly involved in the ‘hazing’ of a co-worker, which resulted in battery and kidnapping, the sheriff’s office said, will not face charges.
- A robbery charge against three other former Marion County firefighters was dropped by the state prosecutor’s office.
- The victim, Kayne Stuart, told FOX 35’s he wasn’t able to breathe and described the attack as painful and humiliating.
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Three Marion County firefighters involved in allegedly battering and waterboarding a co-worker in November are formally facing charges from the state prosecutor’s office. Charges were dropped for the fourth firefighter who was arrested in connection to the incident.
What we know:
Four Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters were arrested after the Marion County Sheriff’s office conducted an investigation into an incident at a Marion County firehouse, in which a 19-year-old employee – Kayne Stuart – was beaten with his own belt, waterboarded and dragged across the parking lot by firefighters at the station, the sheriff’s office said. Fire Chief James Banta said he was “disgusted” by the alleged treatment to the victim.
As a result of the investigation, the state attorney’s office charged three individuals in connection to the incident. The three men – along with seven other employees – were fired after the incident.
- Tate Trauthwein, 19, – a firefighter/EMT who’s been with the department for one year – was arrested for kidnapping, battery and robbery.
- Edward Kenny, 22, – an EMT who’s been with the department for three years – was arrested for kidnapping, battery and robbery.
- Seth Day, 22, – a firefighter/EMT who’s been with the department for two years – was arrested for kidnapping, battery and robbery.
As of Feb. 5, charges against Kaylee Bradley, 25, – a paramedic who’s been with the department for two years and was accused of robbery and principal accessory to robbery – were dropped. …