By By Lisa Tindell
An Escambia County Detention Center employee was fired and charged with third-degree assault Thursday after a co-worker reported being shot with a Taser device inside the facility.
John Moncrease, a supervisor in the corrections department at the facility, allegedly fired a Taser device at Sudan Nelson Wednesday evening while the two worked a regular shift at the jail, chief deputy John Gleaton confirmed.
"What he did to me was wrong," Nelson said. "I wasn't a threat to him or anyone. I didn't deserve what he did to me."
Gleaton said both employees have more than four years of service at the Escambia County Detention Center.
"The incident was reported immediately and the supervisor was suspended immediately pending an internal investigation," Gleaton said in the statement. "After a review of the written statements of each party involved, the supervisor was terminated effective March 20. The supervisor was also charged with assault in the third degree. The injured employee is on leave after having been treated at a local hospital."
Nelson said the incident arose after he failed to answer a question Moncrease asked him while on duty.
"He asked me about some CDs, and I didn't answer him," Nelson said. "He asked me a second time and I didn't answer. That's when he hit me with the Taser."
The Taser device discharged and hit the victim in the right leg and thigh area, Gleaton said.
"When he Tasered me, I hit the floor," Nelson said. "I was in a lot of pain. I had these Taser prongs sticking out of my right leg and thigh. When I fell to the floor, I bruised my knee and sprained my wrist."
Nelson said the attack by Moncrease continued after he refused to sign paperwork written concerning the CDs.
"He wrote me up about the CDs," Nelson said. "When I said I wouldn't sign them, he reloaded his Taser and threatened to use it on me again. When I was able to get away from him, I clocked out and went to the hospital."
Gleaton said the sheriff's department does not tolerate force among employees.
"The Escambia County Sheriffs Office has a strict use of force policy," Gleaton said in the statement. "That police precludes the use of these Taser devices in this many and any misuse of these devices by employees is strictly enforce."
Nelson said he may pursue other recourse against Moncrease concerning the incident.
"What he did to me was wrong," Nelson said. "I'll do what I have to do."