By Dan Sullivan
Tampa Bay Times
TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released a security video Thursday that shows a nearly 4-minute fight between a detention deputy and a man who is incarcerated in the Falkenburg Road Jail.
Deputy Nathan Gough suffered a broken left orbital bone and a cut to his left eye in the struggle with Raheem Fulton, according to court records. The deputy was unable to call for help for several minutes as the pair wrestled on the floor of an open-bay jail dormitory and dozens of other incarcerated people watched.
The sheriff’s office had asked a court to bar the media from being able to see the video in a court hearing last week, arguing that it contained “sensitive” information. But a judge found that they failed to demonstrate a legal basis to keep the video out of the public view.
In a statement accompanying the video’s release Thursday, the sheriff’s office wrote that while they prioritize safety and security in their jails, they “are equally committed to maintaining transparency in our operations.”
The disturbing 10-minute footage, which the agency said it partially redacted for reasons of confidentiality and security, was recorded Oct. 19 . It begins with Gough standing behind a desk inside the dormitory as Fulton, clad in orange, strolls past.
Fulton, 25, has been incarcerated since June, when Tampa police arrested him on a charge of being a felon in possession of a gun and numerous active warrants.
Court records state that Gough spoke with Fulton about “contraband” in the jail dorm, but that Fulton walked away, sat in a chair and said something profane. Gough tried to keep talking, but Fulton refused to come back to the desk.
In the video, Gough approaches Fulton from behind and appears to tell him to stand up. He takes hold of both his wrists as Fulton stands. Fulton then swiftly pulls away, turns around and hits the deputy in his face.
The pair then engage in a lengthy struggle, wrestling and exchanging kicks and blows as objects fall from the deputy’s uniform and duty belt. At one point, Gough lay on his back with his legs locked around Fulton’s head as he tried to gain control.
As the fight continues, other men stroll by or sit at nearby tables watching. One man approaches the pair and appears to lean down and touch Fulton’s back before pausing and walking away.
An arrest report states that a witness tried to help the deputy, but someone threatened to hurt him if he intervened. After almost four minutes, several other prisoners approach and appear to persuade Fulton to walk away. They then hand Gough some of his belongings.
The deputy, his face bloodied, appears to hold up a can of pepper spray as he again approaches Fulton, making him get down just as other deputies arrive.
Gough was taken to Tampa General Hospital and later released.
Fulton faces an additional charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
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