2 Florida corrections officers accused of throwing scalding water at inmates

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Two Florida corrections officers are accused of throwing scalding water at inmates, authorities said Wednesday.

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According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Casey Howell and Enzo Finamore were arrested and fired from their jobs at the Lee County Jail, WINK-TV reported.

Howell was charged with felony official misconduct, felony battery and misdemeanor battery, Marceno said during a news conference on Wednesday. Finamore has been charged with felony official misconduct and misdemeanor battery, the sheriff said.

Marceno said the victims had first- and second-degree burns, WBBH-TV reported.

The sheriff told reporters that an internal investigation confirmed a tip from another deputy, who alleged that Howell and Finamore threw scalding water from a water dispenser onto two inmates at the jail “to gain compliance,” the television station reported.

“None of these victims said anything,” Marceno told reporters. “We are acting on their behalf, and will right what’s wrong as much as we can.

“These two (officers) lost their privilege of being our family members,” Marceno added. “They disgraced the badge.”

Howell began working with the sheriff’s office in 2022, WBBH reported. Finamore began working for the department in 2021.

Marceno said he ordered hot water dispensers in that section of the Lee County Jail removed and added a new supervisor, WINK reported. The sheriff also vowed to install more security cameras in the facility.

“Corrections officers have the responsibility of maintaining the welfare of inmates under our care,” Marceno said. “This never allows a person to mistreat or brutalize another human being -- especially when they are in a position of power and over the care of another person.”