POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Bartow Police Department officer has been arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after his fellow officers reported his alleged behavior.
What You Need To Know
- Markanthony Fernandez, 24, was charged Tuesday with four felonies and six misdemeanors
- According to Sheriff Grady Judd, Fernandez recorded several videos of teens and sent them to other Bartow officers
- Bartow officers reported the videos to supervisors
- "Markanthony Fernandez must never wear a badge again," Sheriff Grady Judd said
Markanthony Fernandez, 24, was charged Tuesday with four felonies and six misdemeanors for events that occurred during the weekend of Feb. 3.
The investigation identified four females involved with the incident in February; two were 18-years old, the other two victims were 17 and 16-years old.
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, Fernandez recorded several videos and sent them to other Bartow officers.
"One video showed one of the 18-year old girl’s wearing a Bartow PD jacket, while a 17-year old committed a sexual act on the 18-year-old at the urging of Fernandez," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Several of the videos show the victims naked with Fernandez inside his residence."
Fernandez provided all four with alcoholic beverages, THC vape pens, and THC gummies, authorities said.
Fernandez was also accused of going into a bedroom at his residence where the 16-year old was, and began to touch her and choke her.
“Markanthony Fernandez has embarrassed his community, police department, and law enforcement officers everywhere," Judd said. "In contrast, his fellow officers at Bartow Police Department did the right thing by reporting his conduct. Markanthony Fernandez must never wear a badge again.”
Markanthony Fernandez was placed in the Polk County Jail and charged with promotion of a juvenile in a sexual performance and battery by strangulation, other chages.
Fernandez has been on administrative leave since February and his employment with Bartow PD is pending termination based on his arrest, the sheriff's office said.