Four MCFR first responders lose jobs, will face charges

Marion County officials, from left, Commissioner Carl Zalak, Sheriff Billy Woods, Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta and County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes gathered Nov. 26 at the MCSO administrative center to announce the arrest of four MCFR first responders who stand accused of multiple charges connected to an incident that included the alleged whipping and waterboarding of a fellow firefighter. [Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

12/03/2025 – Editor’s note: This article has again been updated to include new information and clarify some information.

12/02/2025 – Editor’s note: This article has been amended to correct the charges levied against Kaylee K. Bradley. New information also has been added related to bond amounts.

Four Marion County Fire Rescue first responders have been terminated, arrested and charged in connection with a case which included allegations of harassment, whipping and waterboarding of a fellow firefighter following a dispute that began over grease stains on a shirt, pizza and a Tik Tok video.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods was flanked by MCFR Chief James Banta, County Commissioner Carl Zalak and other county officials who gathered Wednesday morning to announce the arrest.

“A hazing incident that went horribly wrong,” is how Woods described the incident opening the press conference.

Banta said the behavior was “unacceptable and unacceptable…contrary to the core values of MCFR).”

“(The defendants) have forfeited the right to wear the uniform,” Banta said.

Banta said the case does not reflect the values of 800 MCFR first responders who are dedicated with the highest standards and the mission of saving lives and property.

He said he had no reports of hazing or any disciplinary action taken regarding hazing in any MCFR station. He said there may have been “one on one incidents.”

Banta is reviewing in-place oversight and safeguards. He indicated further administrative action could be taken toward officers who may be included by their “action or inaction.”

Zalak said the behavior of the defendants was “absolutely unacceptable” and the county has “zero tolerance” for the alleged actions. He said a review is in process.

Kaylee K. Bradley, 25, who served two years as a paramedic, was charged with felony robbery and principle/accessory to robbery. Tate  Trauthwein,19, with one year as a firefighter/EMT; Edward Kenny III, 22, who has three years of service as an EMT; and Seth Day, 22, a firefighter/EMT, were each charged with felony robbery for allegedly taking the victim’s cell phone, felony kidnapping for confining the victim and causing bodily harm by whipping him with a belt and waterboarding him using a towel and dripping water onto it and misdemeanor battery in connection with whipping the victim with his own belt, according an arrest affidavit.

According to the arrest affidavit, the incident unfolded sometime on Nov. 16 at Marion County Fire Rescue 21, known as Friendship Station, located at 7884 SW 90th St. during “C” shift, a 24-hour period beginning at 8 a.m.

The victim has been with MCFR about five months, according to the affidavit.

The arrest affidavit states the victim was working inside the station house when another firefighter smeared grease on his shirt saying he didn’t look “dirty enough,” according to the victim.

Later that day, the firefighters decided to order pizza and evidently a dispute arose, blaming the victim for throwing out one firefighter’s serving of pizza, when in fact, the pizza was stored in the refrigerator.

A firefighter retaliated against the victim and threw some of the victim’s belongings across a driveway, yet the victim continued to ignore the harassment, the affidavit indicated.

Soon, Trauthwein noticed on Instagram that the victim had a following and the victim explained it was related to a “dancing video trend” once posted on Tik Tok but deleted and fellow crew members tried to find the video, according to the victim’s statement.

The victim thought the Tik Tok video was embarrassing, according to the statements in the arrest affidavit.

The victim alleges that Kenny and Day held him down after he refused to give the password to his phone, his pants were pulled down by Trauthwein and he was whipped with his belt.

Bradley allegedly took photos of incident at some point, according to the arrest affidavit.

Trauthwein allegedly took the victim’s phone.

At one point, he was told by one of the defendants they would stop if he gave up the cell phone.

Later, the victim alleged Trauthwein held a shop towel over his face and water was dripped on it in a type of waterboarding, as Kenny and Day held him.

The waterboarding allegedly occurred three times, the victim stated.

The victim stated a call for service interrupted the incident.

According to the arrest affidavit, the incident came to light a few days later after the victim mentioned to a fellow firefighter what had occurred and the information went “up the chain of command” and was reported during an internal affairs meeting with the victim, MCFR and MCSO officials.

Woods said the victim continues to work with MCFR, which points to the commitment and dedication of the person.

“The victim took an (expletive) beating and still came to work,” Woods said.

Firefighter/paramedics John Tweedy and Tyler Touchton were interviewed by MCSO detectives as “eyewitnesses” to the alleged incident at Station 21.

Tweedy told investigators he saw “horseplay and wrestling” between Day, Trauthwein and the victim throughout the day, but he did not see the alleged waterboarding and did not see the victim struck with a belt.

Tweedy said the victim was “squirming to get away.” He told detectives he stated, “It’s time to let (the victim) up” and that it seemed like a “joke” that “went too far.”

Touchton told investigators he was assigned to Rescue 21 with the victim and saw others put grease on (the victim’s) shirt. He noted to detectives that the victim was “the newest employee” at the incident location.

Touchton claimed he saw the victim being “held” by Day, Kenny and Trauthwein and saw Trauthwein allegedly strike the victim on the buttocks with a belt and Bradley allegedly took pictures.

Touchton detailed to investigators that he saw an alleged waterboarding with a wet towel and the incident, which he estimated lasted about 20 minutes, “went too far.”

Touchton provided a photo to investigators, which, according to the arrest affidavit, shows Day, Kenny and Trauthwein holding the victim and Bradley nearby.

Touchton said the victim appeared to be “actively” trying to get away.

The arrest affidavit states a call for service broke the incident up and Touchton told the investigators the victim needed his phone to use the GPS for the call

He also said the victim told him he wanted transferred to a different fire station

Day, Kenny and Trauthwein each have entered a written plea of not guilty and are all three are set to be arraigned on charges of robbery, battery and kidnap inflict bodily harm (or) terrorize.

Bradley entered a written plea of not guilty on charges of robbery and principal to robbery.

All four have been released on bail. Emails and phone calls to attorneys for the defendants were not immediately returned.

According to Walter Forgie, chief assistant attorney with the State Attorney’s Office for the 5^th Judicial Circuit, the next court date expected for the defendants will be an arraignment in about 30 days.

“All of the co-defendants are prohibited from contacting the victim, contacting any of the co-defendants or going to any fire station in Marion County. Additionally, they must wear an electronic monitor,” Forgie wrote in an email.