ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
St. Petersburg Times

TAMPA - Seven Hillsborough County rescue workers face disciplinary action over a prank that went too far.

This is what Hillsborough County fire medic Miguel Ruiz got home to find after one Saturday night in August:

His home toilet papered, and dish-washing powder on his lawn. Clothes taken out of his closet. The television wrapped in paper towels. Unused condoms on the floor. A plastic bag or a roll of bags in the commode, along with short, coarse hairs.

The culprits? His friends and colleagues, six fellow fire medics and one captain, who later admitted the hairs had come from his own belly.

All seven men faced disciplinary action after Ruiz reported them, saying they went too far.

According to 63 pages of county memos released to the Times Wednesday, it all started on the night of Aug. 15. Current and former Station 14 firefighters attended a baby shower at Capt. E.J. Fernandez's home. Ruiz, 26, didn't go.

"Since Miguel did not show up, a group of party attendees went to a nearby convenience store to pick up supplies to 't.p.' the outside of his home," the report begins.

But they didn't stop at toilet paper. Once there, they found an unlocked door and let themselves in.

All seven have since admitted to taking part in what they called a prank among friends. In the report, the captain said he called Ruiz the following day to apologize, but that the medic refused to take numerous calls. He even tried to call Ruiz's mother and stepfather.

Ruiz, however, called shift commander Craig Lynn. Ruiz said a line had been crossed. He felt humiliated and violated, even days after the incident.

"Ruiz was visibly shaken and upset," Lynn wrote. "I recognized that any sort of apology being accepted was unlikely."

The captain told a supervisor pranks were common in their group, and that Ruiz had participated in the past.

But Ruiz said he could no longer work with any of the seven involved. All were transferred to other stations. Two who participated, but didn't enter the home, got verbal reprimands. The others got written reprimands, which will stay in their files throughout their careers.

All have apologized. Six of their statements are included in the report:

- Stan Hyatt, 34: "I have known Miguel since the first year I got hired onto the department. I consider him a friend. We have hung multiple times off duty. He has been to my home. I have been a designated driver for him. The prank was not in anyway intended to be malicious. ... I sincerely apologize."

- Robert Gero, 31: "Unfortunately the event of that evening appeared to have been perceived as something other than what it was meant to be, and for this, I am truly sorry. I hope that this can be straightened out between Miguel and I, and that we can continue to be friends."

Hyatt and Gero didn't enter the home, according to the report. These men did.

- Fabian Fernandez, 24: "No doubt we could exercise greater sensitivity to the feelings of our colleagues. ... I am sure that it will not happen again."

- Jason Turk, 30: "I am in the beginning stages of reevaluating myself for strengths and weaknesses. I realize this event has shown a great weakness."

- Ryan Tolley, 25: "If I could go back in time I would not have done this, but I cannot. All I can do now is ask for his forgiveness."

- Capt. E.J. Fernandez, 40: "I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed of the emotional pain and grief that I have caused for someone that I consider family."

- Marlon Jones, 35: His statement was not included in the reports provided, and he did not respond to a message left for him Wednesday.

Because of his higher rank, Capt. Fernandez will be subject to further discipline, said fire spokesman Ray Yeakley.

On Wednesday, Fernandez was recognized for saving the life of a man who had a massive heart attack while driving. But he may be suspended for the August prank.

If Ruiz wants to, he can press criminal charges. He did not respond to a request for an interview.

"I liken it to a college prank that went too far," Yeakley said. "These guys, every one of them has shown a great deal of remorse."

Yeakley didn't know whether Ruiz accepted their apologies.

"I would imagine he has or will in his own time," Yeakley said. "It's too new. It will take time to heal."


Copyright 2009 Times Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
October 8, 2009