SHERIFF’S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Mario Pratt, a correctional officer with our agency, stemming from an October 28, 2013, incident which alleges pepper spray was used on an inmate without justification.

Inmate  Michael Dudley Palmer reported that Pratt sprayed him with pepper spray while he was in his cell. Pratt initially reported that he had a can of pepper spray in his hand as Dudley Palmer was kicking his cell door and he thought he might need to use the chemical agent. Pratt noted that the top of the pepper spray can broke and when he returned it to the holder on his belt, a small amount of spray was released. Pratt reported Dudley Palmer was not exposed to the pepper spray.

Video of the incident revealed that Pratt removed his pepper spray from his belt, extended his arm in a manner consistent with the deploying of the chemical agent, and pointed it toward the area where Dudley Palmer was standing. The video also revealed Dudley Palmer grabbing his face and staggering away from the area as if exposed to the pepper spray.

Pratt was arrested this morning, November 21, 2013, a little after 10AM on one count of misdemeanor battery. He posted the $500 bond and was released about an hour later.

Pratt has been employed with the agency since December 12, 2005. He is currently on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into the incident which lead to his arrest.