State Attorney Bill Eddins has announced the arrest of James Bonoyer, Katherine Kenney, Lawrence Salter Jr., and Stephen White.
These arrests are the result of a detailed and lengthy investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the alleged falsification of Official Records of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety. Mr. Eddins commends the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their excellence in thoroughly investigating this matter of great public importance.
The records alleged to have been falsified pertain to mandatory training courses with the American Heart Association. Successful completion of these courses is a requirement for a Paramedic’s license with the State of Florida and employment with the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as a Paramedic. These courses include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization.
James Bonoyer is charged with one (1) count of Racketeering, a first degree felony. Racketeering is punishable with a maximum penalty of 30 years in state prison. He is also charged with twenty three (23) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony. All third degree felonies are punishable by a maximum penalty of 5 years in state prison.
Additionally, Bonoyer faces twenty (20) counts of Forgery, a third degree felony, and thirteen (13) counts of Paramedic License Fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. All first degree misdemeanors are punishable by a maximum penalty of one year in county jail. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as the American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator and a Paramedic.
Katherine Kenney is charged with one (1) count of Racketeering, a first degree felony, five (5) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony, five (5) counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, a third degree felony, and four (4) counts of Paramedic License Fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. She is employed by Escambia County Department of Public Safety as a Paramedic.
Lawrence Salter is charged with three (3) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony, three (3) counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, a third degree felony, and two (2) counts of Paramedic License Fraud a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as Deputy Chief of Operations and a Paramedic.
Stephen White is charged with one (1) count of Racketeering, a first degree felony, eight (8) counts of Official Misconduct, a third degree felony, six (6) counts of Uttering a Forged Instrument, a third degree felony, and two (2) counts of Paramedic License Fraud, a first degree misdemeanor. He was previously employed by the Escambia County Department of Public Safety as Chief of Operations and a Paramedic.
Assistant State Attorney Thomas Williams will prosecute these cases
Dear Mr. Outzen,
While I am not surprised that the smoke on certifications has indicated there may have been fire, I would hope that the public will be wise enough to not try these people in the court of public opinion before they have had due process. People should not just assume that all of these people are guilty of every charge, particularly when some of the charges are cascading from others. Let them have their due process that three of the four did not receive at the County. For almost a year, I struggled to get awareness that there were multiple harassment complaints sent into limbo, knowingly, across past and current administration. Whatever these individuals’ guilt or innocence when it comes to criminal intent, had those harassment complaints been affording due process, and possible hearings of the Merit System Protection Board, whatever problems that existed at that time might have been discovered and rectified, and our EMS would have had a chance to heal from the turbulence.
Instead, those complaints, which contained information that pointed to potential problems in certification and medical billing, were purposely brushed under the carpet, with due process violated at the County. This is a separate matter from their guilt or innocence in a court of law on the charges pending against them.
Escambia County EMS has some of the finest individuals I’ve met working for it. This is yet another blow to morale they must overcome, and at the worst time. We as a community need to support them and all of our first responders. If you know one, don’t hug ’em right now. :) But please offer them the assurance that the community knows they are professionals and that they have our gratitude for being on the front lines for us, every day.
–Melissa Pino