A Florida deputy has been charged with recklessly using a stungun on a man covered in gasoline who became “a fireball”. The incident occurred at a gasstation in last year.
According to the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial District, Osceola County deputy David Crawford has been charged with one count of negligence with personal injury. This is a misdemeanor of first degree.
Jean Baretto suffered second- and third degree burns on at least 75% his body following the incident that occurred in February 2022 at an Orlando gasoline station.
Baretto was being pursued by deputies, “accused of breaking traffic laws while he ‘popped wheelsies’ on his dirtbike,” the State Attorney’s Office said. A struggle followed.
Baretto, who was pumping gasoline at the time, said that Crawford “smothered him in gasoline” when he tackled him.
NeJame reported that Crawford used his Taser to set Baretto ablaze, turning him into a “human fireball”.
Baretto’s attorney stated that he will need lifelong care and added that the man had accrued medical costs of more than $7 million.
NeJame claims that the charge is “but a tiny first step.”
NeJame stated, “Law enforcement should protect us and not incinerate” us. “This was an excessive and grossly unnecessary use of force, which could have been avoided.”
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has said that it will let the criminal justice system determine if Crawford is guilty of a crime.
“We investigated this case over a year ago and sent our findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review. The statement stated that we felt it was appropriate to let criminal justice determine if the Deputy Crawford committed a crime which could be proved beyond a reasonable degree of doubt.
Crawford joined the agency as of 2012.
According to the office of the state attorney, Crawford could face up to a year in prison and/or fines up to $1,000.
