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Allegations of sexual harassment against Holly Hill police

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From inappropriate comments to asking women to show their body parts, these are some of the details revealed in a 104-page investigative report looking into allegations of sexual harassment within the Holly Hill Police Department. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation, which named former Police Chief Jeffrey Miller, former Captain Christopher Yates, Sgt. Thomas Bentley and former Sgt. Shannon Fountain for their involvement. According to the report, a female police officer brought complaints dating back to 2022 involving her supervisor, Fountain. Fountain is alleged to have behaved inappropriately on multiple occasions. In one instance, he sent the victim a Snapchat photo of himself where he was “naked and covering his genitals with a small cloth.” In another incident, Fountain took a photo of the victim’s “backside” and sent it to her, making her feel uncomfortable. The allegations got worse when another woman who worked for the department said she was “asked several times by former Chef Miller and a couple of times by Captain Yates to see her breasts.” The woman said the situation got worse over time when the men asked if they could touch her rear end. “I can’t scream,” she said. “I can’t open the door. I was terrified of losing my job. I’m a single mother.” Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood released a statement about the investigation that said in part, “I am proud of the service the Volusia Sheriff’s Office has provided to the City of Holly Hill and its residents, and I hope this report helps identify and correct the glaring problems uncovered in this investigation.” City Manager Joseph Forte also sent a statement that said in part, “The actions of the Chief, Captain and Sergeant appear to be at odds with the principles they are supposed to uphold and enforce in our community.” “The Holly Hill Police Department has much to be proud of, and together we will rebuild the department.” The city announced this week that Byron K. Williams will be the new police chief following Miller’s resignation. Yates and Fountain both resigned. Bentley returned to work and his disciplinary actions are under review. RELATED TOPICS: Investigation into Holly Hill Police Department completed and turned over to city manager Officials: Holly Hill Police Chief resigns amid internal investigation

HOLLY HILL, Fla. —

From inappropriate comments to requests for women to show their body parts, these are some of the details revealed in a 104-page investigative report looking into allegations of sexual harassment within the Holly Hill Police Department.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation and named former Police Chief Jeffrey Miller, former Captain Christopher Yates, Sergeant Thomas Bentley and former Sergeant Shannon Fountain for their involvement.

According to the report, a police officer made complaints about her supervisor, Fountain, in 2022. Fountain is said to have behaved inappropriately on several occasions, including once when he sent the victim a Snapchat photo of himself showing him “naked with a small cloth over his genitals.”

In another incident, Fountain took a photo of the victim’s “backside” and sent it to her, which made her feel uncomfortable.”

The allegations became even more serious when another employee in the department said she was asked to look at her breasts “several times by former Chef Miller and a few times by Captain Yates.”

The woman said that it got worse over time and the men asked her if they could touch her bottom.

“I can’t scream,” she said. “I can’t open the door. I was terrified of losing my job. I’m a single mother.”

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood released a statement on the investigation, saying in part:

“I am proud of the service the Volusia Sheriff’s Office has provided to the City of Holly Hill and its residents, and I hope this report will help identify and correct the glaring problems uncovered in this investigation.”

City Manager Joseph Forte also sent a statement saying, in part:

“The actions of the Chief, Captain and Sergeant appear to be contrary to the principles they are supposed to defend and enforce in our community.”

“The Holly Hill Police Department has much to be proud of, and together we will rebuild the police department.”

The city announced this week that Byron K. Williams will become the new police chief following Miller’s resignation.

Yates and Fountain have both resigned.

Bentley returned to work and his disciplinary actions are under review.

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