​Detention Deputy Fired For Unnecessary Use Of Force On Inmate

CLEARWATER, FL -- A Pinellas County detention deputy was terminated for unnecessary use of force on an inmate at the Pinellas County Jail Friday.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the incident took place on Jan. 8 at the Pinellas County Jail at 14400 49th St, N, in Clearwater.

According to the Administrative Investigation Division, on Jan. 8, Deputy Amy Gee, 37, 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 9:02 p.m., 54-year-old Marie Butler of Largo was transported to the Pinellas County Jail after being arrested for disorderly intoxication.

Gee first came into contact with Butler when she approached Butler to take a booking photo. Butler refused to look up at the camera. 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 Gee's questions.

While at the booking counter, 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 Gee, who pulled Butler back toward her direction. Butler then moved away from Gee a second time. Gee pulled Butler back toward her, then placed her right hand around Butler's neck and maintained her hold as she slammed Butler to the ground, according to the sheriff.

Simultaneously, 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 backward, landing directly on her left arm, which resulted in a fracture to her left humerus.

Investigators say, although Butler was not responding to Gee's verbal direction, she was not physically resisting or verbally threatening deputies. They said Gee failed to verbalize or request any assistance from other deputies, and Butler's actions did not demonstrate the need for force.

Butler told investigators she lost her balance due to consuming alcoholic beverages and stated, "My gait wasn't a 100 percent." Butler further indicated she had 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, Gee admitted that she reacted inappropriately and did not feel as if Butler was going to harm her or other deputies.

Investigators say Gee, who was hired in February 2014, had not been disciplined prior to this incident.

Nevertheless, the Administrative Review Board determined that Gee used unnecessary force and violated sheriff's office policy.