Marion County is grappling with a disturbing incident involving personnel meant to protect and rescue. According to WFTV, four employees from the Marion County Fire Rescue department have been arrested under serious accusations: kidnapping, battery, and robbery.
Deputies say a disturbing incident unfolded last Sunday at Fire Station 21 in Ocala after four firefighters demanded a coworker share a TikTok video he declined to provide. According to investigators, what began as smearing grease on the victim escalated throughout the evening into a series of increasingly aggressive acts outside the station.
According to WESH, deputies reported that the firefighters chased the victim into the parking lot, removed his pants, and struck him with a belt before taking his phone and attempting to force him to reveal the password. When he refused, they allegedly continued the abuse and later dragged him across the parking lot, where they used a towel and a water bottle to simulate waterboarding multiple times.
Authorities took 22-year-olds Edward Kenny III and Seth Day, along with 19-year-old Tate Trauthwein, into custody on charges of kidnapping, robbery, and battery. A fourth suspect, 25-year-old Kaylee Bradley, was also arrested on robbery and accessory charges. Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said all firefighters connected to the incident have been dismissed from their roles.
