Four Marion County firefighters arrested for violently hazing a coworker: ‘I was in shock’

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of Marion County Fire Rescue employees involved in a violent hazing incident at a fire station.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Edward Kenny III, 22, Seth Day, 22, and Tate Trauthwein, 19, for kidnapping, robbery, and battery. Kaylee Bradley, 25, was arrested for robbery and accessory to a robbery.

According to the sheriff, the firefighters at Station 21 on Southwest 90th Street near the On Top of the World community attempted to get a TikTok dance video off the victim’s phone.

They chased him into the parking lot. When they caught him, they removed his pants and struck him with his belt.

They stole the victim’s phone, and when he refused to give them the passcode, the men removed his underwear and continued to strike him.

The suspects then dragged the victim across the parking lot. They took a water bottle and a towel, and waterboarded the victim three times.

They only released him when a call for service came into the station.

“In my 30 years as a firefighter, this is the most outrageous thing I have seen that’s been reported to me, and as fire chief, I was in shock,” said Fire Chief James Banta.

The chief confirmed all four employees were fired from Marion County Fire Rescue. The victim remains on the job, choosing not to take leave.

“[The victim] still wants to be at work; he still is not giving up, and keeping him there is the right thing to do,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.

The department will undergo a review of policies and training to ensure employees act with professionalism. Any other employees involved in the incident may also face disciplinary action.

“Some were watching, I’m pretty sure there is going to be a lot more outside of these arrests that are going to be done from the administration here of individuals that were part of this,” said Woods.

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