NOTE: CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO OF ASSAULT THAT STARTED IT ALL.
CLERMONT, Fla. — In conjunction with a criminal investigation, the Florida Department of Corrections’ (FDC) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest of Correctional Captain Milton Gass, Correctional Officer Hunter Lingo, and Correctional Officer Joshua Petersilge. The three officers are charged with violations stemming from the incident which occurred on July 8 at Lake Correctional Institution. The officers were charged with the following counts:
Captain Milton Gass (hired July 2007)
Two counts of Perjury by False Declaration (third degree felony)
Three counts of Solicitation to Commit the Felony Crime of Perjury by False Declaration (third degree felony)
Correctional Officer Hunter Lingo (hired June 2017)
One count of Principle to Malicious Battery (third degree felony)
Correctional Officer Joshua Petersilge (hired September 2016)
One count of Principle to Malicious Battery (third degree felony)
Following the arrests, the officers were transported to the Lake County Jail. The Department is immediately terminating all three employees.
Secretary Mark Inch said, “We took immediate action to terminate the employees arrested today following the criminal charges brought against them. The Florida Department of Corrections will not tolerate inmate abuse at any level. These swift disciplinary actions are a testament to our commitment to ensuring officers are held accountable when they abuse the trust of the public and those they are charged with supervising. We will continue to work cooperatively with the Inspector General as they continue to investigate all of those found to be involved in this incident. This investigation is not over. Anyone found to have acted outside their authorities or the standards of our Department will be held accountable.”
Affidavit loads below:
07-24-Arrest
