19-055 Detention Deputy Terminated For Unnecessary Use Of Force On Inmate At Pinellas County Jail

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Department of Detention and Corrections
Professional Standards Bureau
- Administrative Investigation Division

Deputy Amy Gee
Age: 37
Date of Hire: 02/24/2014
Termination Effective: 04/05/2019

Marie Butler (Inmate)
DOB: 12/02/1964
Inmate released from PCJ on 01/08/2019.

What:
A detention deputy was terminated for unnecessary use of force on an inmate at the Pinellas County Jail.

When:
The incident took place on January 8, 2019.

The deputy was terminated on April 5, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred at the Pinellas County Jail located at 14400 49^th Street North, in Clearwater.

Why/How:
A detention deputy was terminated for unnecessary use of force on an inmate at the Pinellas County Jail.

According to the Administrative Investigation Division, on January 8, 2019, Deputy Amy Gee was working as a detention deputy in the Intake/Receiving area at the Pinellas County Jail, assisting inmates through the booking process.

Investigators say at approximately 9:02 p.m., 54-year-old Marie Butler was transported to the Pinellas County Jail after being arrested for Disorderly Intoxication.

Deputy Gee first came into contact with Butler when she approached Butler to take a booking photo. Butler failed to comply with Deputy Gee’s direction by refusing to look up at the camera.

Deputy Gee then escorted Butler to the booking counter, where she attempted to obtain Butler’s name for the purpose of identifying her, but Butler did not respond to Deputy Gee’s questioning.

While at the booking counter, Deputy Gee stood to the right side of Butler, holding Butler’s jacket with her left hand. Butler was secured in handcuffs, with her hands behind her back. Butler shifted her weight away from Deputy Gee, who pulled Butler back toward her direction.

Butler then moved away from Deputy Gee a second time. Deputy Gee pulled Butler back towards her, then placed her right hand around Butler’s neck and maintained her hold as she slammed Butler to the ground.

Simultaneously, Deputy Gee placed her right foot behind Butler’s legs which caused Butler to fall to the floor. Due to Butler’s hands being secured behind her back, she was unable to break her fall. Butler fell backwards, landing directly on her left arm, which resulted in a fracture to her left humerus.

Investigators say, although Butler was not responding to Deputy Gee’s verbal direction, she was not physically resisting or verbally threatening deputies. Deputy Gee failed to verbalize or request any assistance from other deputies, and Butler’s actions did not demonstrate the necessity of the force used.

Butler informed investigators, she lost her balance due to consuming alcoholic beverages and stated, “My gait wasn’t a hundred percent.” Butler further indicated she suffered medical issues which made it uncomfortable for her to stand and she was not trying to get away or resist deputies.  

During the course of the Administrative Investigation, Deputy Gee admitted that she reacted inappropriately and did not feel as if Butler was going to harm her or other deputies.

Investigators say Deputy Gee has not received discipline prior to this incident.

As a result of the investigation, the Administrative Review Board determined that Deputy Gee utilized unnecessary force and violated the Sheriff’s Office policy. Deputy Gee was terminated effective Friday, April 5, 2019.

Video : https://www.dropbox.com/s/yc2yviquoq348l8/Term.mp4?dl=0