Bartow officer accused of inappropriate conduct with teenagers

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Bartow Police Department officer was arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives after his colleagues reported his alleged behavior.

Markanthony Fernandez, 24, was charged Tuesday with four felonies and six misdemeanors for events that occurred over the weekend of Feb. 3.

The investigation identified four women involved in the February incident; two were 18 years old, the other two victims were 17 and 16 years old.

According to Sheriff Grady Judd, Fernandez recorded several videos and sent them to other Bartow officers.

“A video showed one of the 18-year-old girls wearing a Bartow PD jacket, while a 17-year-old performed a sexual act on the 18-year-old girl at Fernandez's request,” the DA's office said. sheriff in a press release. . “Several videos show the victims naked with Fernandez inside his residence.”

Fernandez provided all four with alcoholic beverages, THC vape pens and THC gummies, authorities said.

Fernandez was also accused of entering a bedroom of his residence where the 16-year-old girl was and began touching and choking her.

“Markanthony Fernandez has embarrassed his community, his police department and law enforcement officers everywhere,” Judd said. “In contrast, his colleagues at the Bartow Police Department did the right thing by reporting his conduct. Markanthony Fernandez must never wear a badge again.

Markanthony Fernandez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with promoting a minor in a sexual performance and battery by strangulation and other charges.

Fernandez has been on administrative leave since February and his employment with Bartow PD is pending termination due to his arrest, the sheriff's office said.