Personnel files provide insight into the investigation into Holly Hill

HOLLY HILL, Fla. – An investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work culture within the Holly Hill Police Department centered on four high-ranking officers, according to a recently released report.

Three of them, including the former police chief and a former captain, have resigned while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues its investigation into the case.

City Manager Joe Forte confirmed that the city received an email from former officer Robert Milne last year. However, Forte said that due to ongoing litigation, he could not say whether the city took any action after receiving the email.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation found that Milne was considered a “disgruntled employee” at the time and that there was no documentation of the allegations he made in his post-retirement letter.

According to investigative documents, the allegations against the Holly Hill Police Department centered on four high-ranking officers: former Police Chief Jeff Miller, former Captain Chris Yates and Sergeant Shannon Fountain, all of whom have resigned, and Sergeant Thomas Bentley, who has been subject to disciplinary action.

The documents show that at least one harassment complaint was filed against Miller, then a captain, in 2012. A memorandum details allegations of harassment by a female officer. According to information in Miller’s personnel file, the investigation found the harassment allegations were unfounded. Miller’s file also included a suspension and a demotion.

Bentley’s file contained an internal investigation – a largely redacted report describing an incident in March 2013 involving allegations of misconduct related to the custody of a child.

The documents also allege that Bentley abused his position as a law enforcement officer to harass and surveil an individual.

After the indictment, Bentley also admitted, according to filings, that he used a law enforcement database to verify his personal information and a vehicle he owned with an unidentified individual. His filing shows that Bentley’s access to the system was revoked and he was ordered not to have any contact with any other parties involved in the matter.

Fountain’s record contains two incidents: One occurred in August 2012, when he was found to have “twisted” facts to distance himself from another ongoing personnel matter within the department. His personnel file shows he was suspended for 40 hours and had an extension placed on probation that was already in effect.

The other incident occurred in 2013 and resulted in his resignation from the police department after he participated in a pursuit outside of his jurisdiction. He left the Holly Hill Police Department but was reinstated nearly two years later.

Yates’ record showed no major disciplinary action.

Holly Hill’s city manager said he would only respond to emails on a limited basis because “unfortunately, this matter has evolved from an investigation to a notice of intent to sue.”

Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via posted the following statement on his Facebook page:

“The internal investigation report into certain members of the HHPD has been released, and after reviewing the findings, I am extremely disappointed and disturbed by what I read. I condemn the conduct described in the report in the strongest possible terms. As a citizen and elected official, I expect and demand that our department be above reproach. These actions have damaged the reputation of our police department and significantly impacted our community.

Looking forward, it is imperative that we take meaningful steps to rebuild and strengthen our police department. This rebuilding effort begins with the hiring of our new Police Chief, Byron Williams. With his extensive experience and commitment to community policing, I am confident that Chief Williams will lead our department with honor and restore the trust and respect our community deserves. I will support his efforts to renew the department and build it back better than ever. The dedicated men and women who have done nothing wrong deserve the opportunity to restore trust, dignity and honor to their department.

Throughout my tenure as your mayor, I have always promised to support our officers. While I do not support those who have acted wrongly and betrayed our trust, the good men and women of our police department still deserve our full support. They have always had our backs, and now it is time for us to stand up and have their backs. As your mayor, I will do this, and I will do it without regret. I know I will be criticized by some who call for the dissolution of our police department, but I will always stand firmly behind and support our officers who perform their duties with integrity and dedication.

Thank you for your continued support and for standing with our police during this critical time of rebuilding and renewal. Together, we will rebuild our police department and make it stronger, more transparent, and more committed to the safety and well-being of our community than ever before. Let us come together to show our support for the dedicated officers who protect and serve us every day.”