Manatee sheriff's sergeant suspended

BRADENTON - A stun gun incident last November has led to the suspension of a Manatee sheriff's sergeant.

Internal Affairs investigators say Sgt. Donald McGowan zapped an inmate after she refused to pick up her shoes in the intake lobby.

Mia Barnes, 32, had just been arrested for trespassing.

When she got to the jail, deputies say she was verbally abusive and yelling obscenities.

Sgt. McGowan told investigators he believed she was about to strike.

But a newly released internal affairs report says the inmate never physically threatened the deputies and they say the jail's own security video makes it clear.

The security video shows Sgt. McGowan standing in front of Barnes.

He says he told her he'd use the stun gun, if she didn't comply in the video. You see her raising her arms. McGowan says she told him "go ahead."

Moments later, the video shows Sgt. McGowan pressing the stun gun to her left shoulder and zapping her.

Barnes then falls to the floor.

But deputies say she becomes more combative, kicking Sgt. McGowan in the groin.

According to the report, he zaps her two more times before she's finally dragged out of the lobby by several deputies.

Three of the deputies told investigators it was an unnecessary use of force.

Internal affairs investigators agree, saying he violated procedures and abused his authority.

The report says stun guns may be used when there's "active physical resistance."

But investigators say that wasn't the case here.

Sgt. McGowan, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was suspended for a week without pay.

He was also ordered to undergo more training.