Four fire and rescue employees were arrested in connection with the alleged “violent” hazing of a firefighter at a Florida fire station, authorities said Wednesday.
The alleged hazing began with “smearing grease on the victim” and escalated from there until the firefighter was allegedly beaten with a belt with his underwear down and waterboarded, according to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.
“In my 30 years as a firefighter, this is the most egregious thing that has been reported to me,” Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said during a news conference Wednesday, adding that he was “shocked and disgusted.”
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta speaks during a news conference on November 26, 2025 in Marion County, Florida.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Three Marion County Fire Rescue employees: Edward Kenny III, 22, paramedic; Seth Day, 22, firefighter/EMT; and Tate Trauthwein, 19, a firefighter/EMT, have been arrested for kidnapping, robbery and assault, authorities said. A fourth, Kaylee Bradley, 25, a paramedic, has been arrested for robbery and principal/accomplice to robbery, authorities said. It is unclear if they have attorneys at this time.
The incident occurred while the alleged victim was working a 24-hour shift at Fire Station 21 in Ocala on Nov. 16, according to the arrest affidavit.
The alleged victim told authorities that several firefighters, including Day and Trauthwein, initially smeared him with grease, according to the affidavit.
“The victim stated that he tried not to let it bother him and did not retaliate,” the arrest affidavit states.
A fire truck from the Marion County Fire Department.
Marion County Fire Rescue
The alleged hazing escalated after the suspects attempted to obtain the password to the firefighter’s cell phone after learning he had a viral TikTok video, according to the arrest affidavit. The alleged victim told authorities that Trauthwein asked her about her large Instagram following, which she attributed to a TikTok video about a dance trend that she said was “embarrassing” and which she had since deleted and no longer did, according to the affidavit.
Trauthwein is accused of throwing the firefighter’s work boots into the nearby woods, and when the firefighter went to retrieve them, Kenny and Day allegedly grabbed him from behind and held him down, according to the affidavit.
“The victim initially advised that he thought they were just playing,” the affidavit states. “Co-defendant Trauthwein then took off the victim’s belt and pulled down his pants. The victim no longer thought they were playing.”
Trauthwein is accused of taking the firefighter’s cell phone and handing it to Bradley, then whipping him with the belt, according to the affidavit.
“The victim informed the defendants that they asked him for the password to his cell phone and that they would stop doing so if he provided them with the password,” the affidavit states.
Bradley allegedly attempted to unlock the cellphone and took photos of the firefighter with his phone, according to the affidavit.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods speaks during a news conference on November 26, 2025 in Marion County, Florida.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
The firefighter said he tried to escape, but Kenny and Day allegedly held him down while Trauthwein put a towel on his face, according to the affidavit. Water was then poured over the towel approximately three times as he struggled to breathe and the suspects allegedly laughed, according to the affidavit.
The firefighter said he was only released when a call for service came in and he left, according to the affidavit. According to Woods, he never gave them the password to his cell phone.
According to Banta, the four detained employees have been fired.
“His actions, now the subject of serious felony charges, represent a disturbing violation of everything this profession stands for,” Banta said during the press conference. “What occurred was unacceptable, inexcusable and fundamentally contrary to the core values of our fire department.”
“Let me be absolutely clear: These individuals involved in this incident forfeited their right to wear the uniform the moment they chose an act and manner that endangered, harmed and betrayed a fellow firefighter,” he continued. “Their behavior does not reflect who we are and what we stand for.”
The alleged victim is a 19-year-old firefighter who had been working for the department for about five months at the time of the incident, authorities said. The firefighter, whose name has not been released, remains on the job, Banta said.
“He is diligent in doing his job. They offered him the chance to take time off, but he refused. His exact words were: he has a job to do,” Banta said.
Banta said he was informed of the incident on November 19. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was later contacted to investigate.
“Being the son of a firefighter is disappointing,” Woods said during the briefing.
In addition to the criminal case, Marion County Fire Rescue is reviewing a sheriff’s office investigation to determine whether any administrative action is necessary for others who were aware of or present during the incident, Banta said. The agency will also retrain leaders and reinforce at stations that this type of activity is not tolerated, he said.
“Our priority going forward is to ensure that every member of this department works in a safe, respectful and professional environment,” Banta said.
