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Release Number: 09-023

For Immediate Release

Public Information Office

February 4, 2009

Debbie Carter: dcarter@hcso.tampa.fl.us

(813) 247-8060

Statement From The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Regarding Internal Affairs Case Involving Deputy Milton Fassett:

On November 11, 2008, a use-of-force incident took place in Confinement Housing Unit 1 at the Orient Road Jail. The incident involved a female inmate, Katria Baez, 23 yoa.  Inmate Baez refused to obey Deputy Milton Fassett's lawful verbal commands and to cooperate during an administrative relocation.

Inmate Baez was being relocated to the Orient Road Jail from the Falkenburg Road Jail due to her behavioral problems. Inmate Baez became uncooperative, boisterous, and profane with deputies in a vestibule outside the confinement housing unit and Deputy Fassett used physical force to control Inmate Baez.

Inmate Baez made no complaint regarding this use-of-force; however, a routine internal administrative review by jail officials recommended a more comprehensive investigation by internal affairs.

Internal Affairs investigators conducted interviews with Inmate Baez and witnesses to the incident and reviewed video surveillance. As a result of the investigation it was determined that the level of force used by Deputy Fassett to control Inmate Baez's resistance to his lawful verbal commands was unnecessary. A chain of command review recommended that Deputy Fassett be suspended for five (5) days and receive additional training relevant to the use-of-force. Deputy Fassett was removed from inmate contact during the investigation and will not return to that status until the training has been completed.

Inmate Baez received no injuries as a result of Deputy Fassett's actions and remains held at the Orient Road Jail serving a 364-day sentence on drug and battery convictions.  Inmate Baez is also awaiting court proceedings on an additional criminal charge alleging she battered another inmate on January 14,

2009 while held at the Orient Road Jail.

Deputy Fassett has been employed by the Sheriff's Office since October of 1994. Deputy Fassett has no other sustained violations in his 15 years of service.