A rookie Clay County Fire Rescue firefighter alleges co-workers stripped, restrained and forced him outside naked during a shift at Station 15 in Lake Asbury.

The allegations, first reported Tuesday by Clay News & Views, describe an incident that sources told the outlet occurred several months ago as part of an "initiation." A law enforcement official told the outlet the conduct described was "criminal" and could warrant kidnapping and battery charges. The Clay County Sheriff's Office has not received a report about the incident, according to the outlet.

Internal review ended with verbal warnings

An internal investigation by fire rescue management resulted in verbal warnings, sources told Clay News & Views. No employees have been fired or arrested.

Laura Christmas, Clay County's communications director, responded to the outlet's inquiry Sept. 9, saying the county was not aware of any hazing incidents in the department. In the same email, Christmas acknowledged the county was investigating alleged improper behavior at Station 15 but said the county could not comment until the investigation was complete.

Neither County Manager Howard Wanamaker nor Fire Chief Lorin Mock responded to the outlet's Sept. 8 request for complaint and investigation records. None of Clay County's five commissioners had heard about the incident when contacted, according to the report.

County policy labels such conduct criminal

Clay County's Personnel Policies Manual forbids "threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence" against employees on county property. It bans fighting and dangerous horseplay while on duty. The manual's "Moral Turpitude" and "Breach of Peace" section labels such behavior "criminal" and states violations can result in termination, arrest and prosecution.

Marion County case led to arrests, 10 firings

The allegations parallel a hazing case at Marion County Fire Rescue's Station 21 in Ocala. That incident occurred Nov. 16, 2025, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Marion County Fire Chief James Banta immediately alerted county officials and the sheriff's office. Four employees were arrested on charges including kidnapping, robbery and battery. All four were fired. Six additional employees, including all on-duty leadership, were later fired, bringing the total to 10.

"In my 30 years as a firefighter, this is the most outrageous thing I have seen that's been reported to me, and as fire chief, I was in shock," Banta said at a Nov. 27, 2025, news briefing after the arrests.

Three of the four arrested firefighters pleaded guilty to battery, Fox 35 reported. The victim's workers' compensation claim settled for $100,000.

In Clay County, the internal investigation produced verbal warnings. The sheriff's office was not contacted. The commissioners were not informed.

Residents with information can contact the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 904-264-6512.