Two Lee County deputies accused of pouring hot water on at least three inmates have had their charges reduced, records show.
Court records indicate that the charges of Casey Howell, 26, and Enzo Finamore, 24, were downgraded from misdemeanors to misdemeanors. Records show that the charges were amended on March 10.
Howell faces two battery charges, while Finamore faces one battery charge.
Both former deputies initially appeared before Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle. They are assigned to Lee Circuit Judge Josephine Gagliardi. The prosecution could not be reached for comment on the reason for the change in charges.
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The two former deputies suffered first- and second-degree burns after pouring hot water on several inmates, authorities said.
During the investigation, authorities found Howell wounded inmates Yunier Graveran-Gonzalez, 25, formerly of Cape Coral, and Rickey Rumph, 57, of Fort Myers.
According to the report, Rumph’s injuries included redness and irritation of his upper body, while Graveran-Gonzalez showed signs of extreme redness and irritation, coupled with pin-sized pimples that developed into what appeared to be blisters.
Howell admitted to throwing Rumph and Graveran-Gonzalez with hot water after they kicked the cell door and window, the report said.
Finamore was charged with wounding Keith Lamza, 43, of Cape Coral. Lamza’s injuries included redness and discoloration of his right palm, which appeared to be healing. He was housed at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Core facility when the injury occurred.
Finamore admitted to throwing Lamza with hot water in response to his misconduct in jail, the report said.
What happened after the Lee County inmates were injured?
At a press conference on Feb. 22, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the area is used for inmates who are violent and a danger to themselves or others.
A deputy sheriff conducting checks “immediately” notified his supervisor. They determined the injuries were first- and second-degree burns caused by the deputies, Marceno said. Authorities treated the victims on the spot.
Marceno said none of the victims reported the incident. Corrections staff contacted the Major Crimes Unit.
As a result, Marceno said they removed the officers’ hot water dispensers in the wing. It’s one of many wings that didn’t have security cameras before. After the incident, the Sheriff’s Office placed cameras at the location.
They also added a supervisor to directly observe the unit.
Howell was charged with official misconduct, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor battery. Finamore was charged with official misconduct and felony battery.
Both left on February 22 and were due for arraignment on March 27. Finamore started at the Sheriff’s Office in December 2021, while Howell started in 2022.
What were all the victims in prison for?
Rumph is in custody, charged with assault and battery, both on a person age 65 or older, prison records show. Graveran remains in custody on fraud charges; hanging around; and disturb the peace.
Lamza was jailed and charged with criminal mischief in excess of $200, jail records show.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at [email protected] or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltranInstagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County corrections deputies see lower indictments for prisoner burns
