Four Marion County Fire and Rescue First Responders Arrested for Assaulting Colleague

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested four Marion County Fire and Rescue first responders. Edward Kenny, III, 22; Seth Day, 19 and Tate Trauthwein, 19 have been charged with kidnapping, robbery and battery. Kaylee Bradley, 25, was arrested for robbery and as a principal accessory to robbery.

A press conference was held at the MCSO Operations Center Wednesday morning.

The crime occurred at MCFR Fire Station no. 21, located at 7884 SW 90 St., Ocala on Nov. 16, 2025. When MCFR supervision was made aware of the allegations, they immediately contacted MCSO to investigate. Following the investigation and collection of evidence, the accused were arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail where they’re awaiting their first appearance.

“I want to make something abundantly clear especially to the citizens of Marion County, leadership in Marion County Fire and Rescue is a cut above,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. “Chief Banta’s leadership and integrity and he possesses the same values that I have of integrity, honesty and trust, and that’s the same for our county commissioners and our county government, of what they believe in and what they stand for, and what they will not tolerate. Unfortunately, we are here today because of these four firefighters who went a little bit too far with hazing.”

Immediate investigation

The first responders’ behavior was disappointing, and it’s no different when a deputy does something wrong and the sheriff’s department has to arrest them, said Woods. The victim reported the incident to another individual, and it then went up the appropriate chain of command before being reported to MCSO.

It all began with grease being smeared on the victim, a pizza-related prank later during the shift, and the victim’s belongings being taken before escalating into something of a more violent nature.

The incident occurred because the four first responders who were arrested wanted a TikTok video that the victim had on his phone. The accused chased the victim down in a parking lot, caught the victim, removed his pants, took his belt and then began to strike him on the backside with the belt, said Woods.

The victim refused to give up the phone, and the phone was forcibly taken from him during the incident, with the accused allegedly making several attempts to gain the password from him, which the victim refused to provide before the phone locked. However, during the incident matters continued to escalate into criminal acts. While the accused were trying to access the phone, they went further in their actions and removed the victim’s underwear, and they again began to strike him on his backside on his bare skin.

The kidnapping occurred when they began to drag the victim through the parking lot, moving him from one location to another. At some point, one of the accused went to get a bottle of water and a towel and waterboarded him three times according to the victim, said Woods. During the incident, the victim fought and refused to cooperate and made it abundantly clear to the accused that this was outside of what he thought could be perceived as something minor, and each of the accused should’ve known better. A call for service came into the fire station which caused the accused to release the victim.

Unsettling details 

Marion County Fire and Rescue Chief James Banta addressed the arrest and termination of the four MCFR first responders. In his 30 years as a firefighter this is the most egregious thing that Banta has seen, and as MCFR Fire Chief, he was in shock at and disgusted by the first responders’ actions. On Nov. 19, Banta’s deputy chief reported the incident that had been reported to him, and they then immediately consulted the assistant county attorney and MCSO.  The victim remains an employee of MCFR and is diligently carrying out his responsibilities.

“[That] their actions are now the subject of serious felony charges represents a disturbing violation of everything this profession stands for,” said Banta. “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 to act in a manner that endangered, harmed and betrayed a fellow firefighter. Their behavior does not reflect who we are and what we stand for.”

A deeply committed team whose professionalism comes with purpose

Banta acknowledged that the news to the community is upsetting, and it may cause some to question the trust in the department; however, he asked the community to remember that MCFR has more than 800 firefighters who come forth every day with one mission: saving lives and protecting property and the community. They respond at all hours in all conditions, and to the most dangerous situations imaginable.

“The misconduct of a few should not overshadow the honor, commitment and the sacrifice of the many,” said Banta. “We hold ourselves to the highest standards and when someone violates those standards, we take swift and decisive action. Accountability is not optional. It is the foundation of public trust. Outside of the ongoing criminal case, we’re reviewing the investigation completed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which may include the actions or inactions of others who may have been aware and were present during this incident. If additional policy violations are identified further administrative actions will follow. We will not tolerate a culture or environment where misconduct will go unreported.”

MCFR’s priority going forward is that every member of the department works in a safe, respectful and professional environment, said Banta. MCFR will take steps to enforce their core values, strengthen their reporting systems, and ensure that all personnel understand that their duty is not only to serve the public, but to support and protect each other.

“And to our firefighters, paramedics and EMTs out there doing the job each and every day, thank you,” said Banta. “And to our community, we will remain committed to earning and maintaining your trust. I’d also like give a special thanks to Sheriff Woods and to the entire Marion County Sheriff’s Office team to the way they’ve handled this professionally, and ensuring the individuals are held accountable.”

Community concerns

Marion County Commission Chair Carl Zalak, III, acknowledged, the swift, thorough and impartial work of the MCSO.

“Thank you, Sheriff Woods, for your professionalism, and your commitment to transparency through this process,” said Zalak. “From the moment this incident came to our attention, we worked side-by-side with the sheriff’s office to get the facts. Their work has been exemplary, and our partnership continues to be essential. Let me be absolutely clear, from the Board of County Commissioners, what occurred is absolutely unacceptable. It’s disappointing. It makes me sick to my very stomach. We are deeply troubled by the incident. And personally, we want to apologize to the community for the way this comes across.”

A small group of employees, for reasons that no one understands, treated the firehouse like a frat house, said Zalak, who remarked their behavior was absolutely disgraceful, disrespectful and it simply will not be tolerated.

“Our fire stations are not hangouts, they’re not social clubs, they’re professional environments paid for by the taxpayers for one purpose to protect the people and the property of Marion County,” said Zalak. “And what makes this simply so disappointing is we rely on our firefighters to uphold that very highest standard of service and integrity. And just like us as elected officials, we take an oath to serve the citizens, our firefighters take an oath to uphold the constitution. obey the law, act professionally, protect lives and property and serve their community and their fellow first responders, with courage, discipline and respect. The recent actions violated that very oath. They violated our policies and more importantly, they violated the trust this community places in them and in us.”

Striving for excellence 

This isn’t who the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and Marion County staff are, the actions of the first responders are not what they stand for, and they won’t let an incident like this happen again, and Chief Banta will make certain of that, said Zalak. The county has initiated a comprehensive review along with Sheriff Woods, and the county has implemented additional standards and safeguards to strengthen the oversight and ensure that every employee understands professionalism is not an option, it’s an actual requirement.

“We will stop at nothing to root out the conduct that disrespects this county, undermines our mission, and jeopardizes the safety and dignity of our team,” said Zalak. “Marion County has zero tolerance for employees who batter and betray the trust of the people they serve. Zero tolerance for those who put their own impulses above their responsibilities. Zero tolerance for the behavior that demeans the good men and women who serve honorably every single day, every single call, every single shift. Above all, our responsibility is to this community we love. Every resident deserves the full confidence of the men and women when they call 911 and we send responders to them. Every employee has the right to a safe, respectful and professional workplace. We will hold these standards without compromise.”