Detention Deputy Arrested For Battery On An Inmate; A Second Is Disciplined

Detention Deputy Arrested For Battery On An Inmate; A Second Is Disciplined For Failing To Report Incident To Supervision And Misrepresentation Of Facts Release#14-030 Who: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Investigative Operations Bureau -Crimes Against Persons -Robbery Homicide Unit Inspections Bureau -Administrative Investigations Division Joel De Los Reyes (Arrested) Age: 51 Hire Date: 02/27/2006 Arrested for simple battery Adrian Nenu (Disciplined) Age: 49 Hire Date: 05/29/1988 Steven Valentin (Inmate-Victim) DOB: 12/31/1997 Address: 6614 Celeste Lane, New Port Richey What: Today, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri discussed the details of the internal affairs investigation which resulted in the arrest of a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detention deputy for battery on an inmate. A second detention deputy has been disciplined failing to immediately report the use of force and misrepresenting the facts of the incident. When: The incident occurred on August 31, 2013. Where: The incident occurred at the Pinellas County Jail. Why/How: According to internal affairs investigators, Detention Deputy Joel De Los Reyes was assigned to supervise a juvenile pod at the Pinellas County Jail. Investigators say De Los Reyes became engaged in a verbal exchange with one of the inmates over whether the television would remain on or off; and regarding horseplay between inmates. De Los Reyes summoned assistance from Detention Deputy Adrian Nanu, who entered the housing area through an emergency door, and the emergency door remained opened and unsecured. At the same time, an inner cell door used to secure the juvenile inmates was left open. Nanu remained outside the emergency doors. De Los Reyes decided to remove the inmate, identified as Steven Valentin from the cell. Deputies say he walked him over to the day room, pushed him onto a table. Deputy De Los Reyes continued to escort inmate Valentin out towards the emergency door, where Nanu was now entering. As they walked toward the door, De Los Reyes delivered a knee strike and an elbow strike to inmate Valentin. Detention Deputy Nenu documented in his supplement initially that inmate Valentin was verbally abusive towards Deputy De Los Reyes. Deputy Nenu initially indicated that he witnessed the deputy deliver a "guided custodial touch" to the inmate, but later admitted that this was an inaccurate representation of what had occurred. De Los Reyes failed to report the use of force to his chain of command. He initially stated the inmate was not compliant and that his strike was not excessive. He later admitted to using excessive force. An internal affairs investigation was initiated as a result of the incident. De los Reyes resigned while under investigation. The case was also investigated by the Sheriff's Office Robbery/Homicide Unit, who determined probable cause for arrest. De Los Reyes turned himself in to the Pinellas County Jail at about 10:00 a.m. on February 24, 2014 on charges of battery. Nenu received a seven day suspension for failing to report the incident to supervision immediately and for misrepresenting the facts of the case.