MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 19-year-old rookie firefighter at Marion County Fire Rescue’s Station 21 told detectives he was assaulted by co-workers who allegedly restrained him, struck him with a belt and waterboarded him while trying to access his cellphone to view a video he previously posted on social media.
FOX 35 obtained investigative interviews, transcripts and other records tied to the hazing allegations at Marion County Fire Rescue’s Station 21. The agency has fired 10 employees, including a battalion chief, captain, lieutenant, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, and four people have been criminally charged.
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The 19-year-old told sheriff’s detectives it was only his second shift at Station 21 when co-workers allegedly smeared grease on his shirt, threw his belongings into nearby woods and dragged him outside. The 19-year-old said the group then removed his pants and belt, used the belt to strike him and placed him in a leg lock while restraining him and demanding his cellphone passcode as he pleaded for them to stop.
When that failed, co-workers allegedly attempted to waterboard him to obtain his phone passcode, leaving him unable to breathe. Afterward, the firefighter said he told them he would never return to the station.
Interviews show roughhousing was common at Station 21, but one of the accused firefighters, Kaylee Bradley, said this incident went far beyond their usual joking.
“I just feel like that went way too far,” Bradley said. “That’s past what they normally do as a joke.”
FOX 35 listed the fire department employees who have been charged:
- Kaylee Bradley: 25-year-old paramedic charged with robbery and principal accessory to robbery; employed by Marion County Fire Rescue for two years.
- Tate Trauthwein: 19-year-old firefighter/EMT charged with kidnapping, battery, and robbery; with the department for about one year.
- Edward Kenny: 22-year-old EMT charged with kidnapping, battery, and robbery; employed by Marion County Fire Rescue for about three years.
- Seth Day: 22-year-old firefighter/EMT arrested on charges of kidnapping, battery, and robbery; with the department for two years.
In December, Fire Rescue Chief James Banta said six additional employees were fired during the investigation, though the sheriff’s office confirmed none of them have been criminally charged.
