MANATEE CO., FL – The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has completed an investigation into a questionable use of force complaint in June.
The corrections deputy at the center of the investigation is Paul Wagner, 32.
The investigation began on June 26, and on July 6, Wagner was terminated from the MCSO.
Wagner is appealing the termination, and a Career Service Board will hear the appeal on July 27.
The deputy’s firing came after he conducted a “shakedown” search for contraband in one building of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Central Jail. Two other deputies–Mecca and Canfield–were also there.
A cache of oranges, which are considered contraband, was removed from Inmate Andrew Pryce’s bin during the shakedown. When he discovered them missing, he became distraught and confrontational with Deputy Mecca. Deputies Mecca and Wagner each took control of an arm, and began to escort him out of the dorm, but Pryce resisted.
Deputy Canfield handcuffed Pryce behind his back. The three then escorted Pryce into the hallway outside the dorm with Deputy Wagner in physical control of him, and Deputies Canfield and Mecca following.
As Pryce turned to speak to Deputy Mecca, Deputy Wagner placed him chest first against the wall of the hallway. Deputy Wagner then moved Pryce along the wall to a blacked out window which looked into the dorm.
Words were exchanged between Deputy Wagner and Pryce. Deputy Wagner then lifted Pryce, spun him around him to his left, and forced him to the floor in a face down position.
Pryce suffered a broken nose and teeth during the incident.
Source: http://www.mysuncoast.com