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