Pinellas County, FL – Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced the termination of five corrections deputies following two separate and unrelated misconduct incidents at the Pinellas County Jail.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the first incident occurred on August 11, 2025, involving Deputy Jovan Hardwick, who was supervising inmates in the jail’s Healthcare Building. When a mentally ill inmate refused to remove his arms from a cell food trap, Hardwick retrieved a can of Lysol from his personal backpack and sprayed the inmate in the face before slamming the can on the inmate’s hands. Investigators later determined that Hardwick lied multiple times about the event despite video evidence contradicting his claims.
The second case took place on May 15, 2025, in the jail’s booking area and involved Lieutenant Jason Franjesevic, Sergeant Keri-Lyn Colosimo, Corporal Emmanuel Nomikos, and Deputy Katherine Cantrell. A female inmate, restrained and placed in a cell without a toilet, was photographed by Cantrell while trying to relieve herself. The image was then shared among staff, displayed on a booking computer, and shown to the inmate as deputies made derogatory remarks.
Following internal investigations, all five employees were found in violation of Sheriff’s Office policy and were terminated.
Sheriff Gualtieri condemned the actions, stating, “It’s awful that people would treat other human beings like this. All five of these deputies have forfeited their right to serve.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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