Incident Overview
Four firefighters from Florida have been arrested and dismissed following a disturbing hazing incident that allegedly involved whipping and waterboarding.
The events unfolded on November 16 at a Marion County Fire Department station located in Ocala, central Florida. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was targeted by suspects Edward Kenny III, 22, Seth Day, 22, Tate Trauthwein, 19, and Kaylee Bradley, 25.
As the alleged harassment escalated, Trauthwein reportedly threw the victim’s boots into nearby woods. Kenny is accused of tackling the victim from behind, leading to both falling to the ground. While Kenny and Day restrained him, Trauthwein removed the victim’s belt and pants.
Law enforcement reports indicate that Trauthwein and Bradley then seized the victim’s phone and demanded his password. When he refused to comply, Trauthwein allegedly whipped him with his own belt while Kenny and Day held him down.
The group sought access to the phone because they believed it contained a viral dancing video that the victim claimed he had deleted. Eventually, after their attempts failed, the phone locked up.
Trauthwein is also accused of pulling down the victim’s boxers before whipping him again with the belt. The suspects then dragged him to another location where they continued their assault. Reports state that Trauthwein placed a towel over the victim’s face before pouring water on it in an act resembling waterboarding. This ordeal ceased when a service call interrupted them.
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta condemned the actions of those involved: “What occurred was unacceptable and fundamentally contrary to our fire department’s core values. These individuals forfeited their right to wear our uniform when they chose actions that endangered a fellow firefighter.” He added that such behavior does not represent their values or mission.
Banta noted that despite being offered time off after this traumatic experience, the victim opted to continue working: “He’s diligent in doing his job… His exact words were he has a job to do.”
Kenny, Day, and Trauthwein are facing serious charges including kidnapping, robbery, and battery. Meanwhile, Bradley faces charges related to robbery as well as being an accessory.
