A Boston-area police officer, previously named “Officer of the Year,” is facing felony charges for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill two security guards and a sheriff’s deputy at Disney World.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies said Brookline Det. Duane Danforth, 39, approached the roped off area at Lochside United Kingdom at Epcot — where a private event was taking place — on Jan. 30 around 9:25 p.m.
Disney security guard Jeffrey Alves Barnett said he ordered Danforth, who was carrying a young girl in his arms and appeared intoxicated, to “walk around,” according to an affidavit obtained by the Boston Globe.
But Danforth instead returned and tried to remove the attached rope, the affidavit alleges.
He then allegedly approached Barnett and told him, “I’m going to “king kill you” before pushing him aside.
Danforth also allegedly shoved another security guard, identified as Andrew William Blackport, who was standing nearby.
Brookline Det. Duane Danforth, 39, has been charged with battery, assault and battery on law enforcement, and resisting an officer without violence following an altercation at Disney World.
Blackport later told deputies that he heard Danforth yell “I’m going to kill you” several times and that he had “a crazy look in his eyes and seemed drunk.”
When Orange County Deputy Dagoberto Almeida arrived on the scene and tried to speak with the suspect, Danforth allegedly pushed him away as well.
“I immediately got my balance back and I tried to get Duane,” Almeida wrote in the affidavit.
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“At that point, I directed Duane to the floor to try to get him. While Duane was on the floor, he tried to fight back and tense up as we tried to maintain control, and secured him with my handcuffs,” she added, according to Boston 25 News.
“I gave Duane a verbal command to stop resisting and Duane continued to refuse.”
The deputy minister also noted that many park guests recorded the alleged altercation.
He is now charged with battery, assault and battery on law enforcement, and resisting an officer without violence.
The officer was released on bond with orders to have no contact with the alleged victim, stay away from Epcot, not possess weapons and surrender any firearms, the Globe reported.
Meanwhile, Danforth will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, Brookline Police said.
Danforth has served on the police force for 14 years and won the title of “Officer of the Year” in 2021.
The union representing Brookline police also said it was “aware of the allegations against Det. Danforth and realized that they were serious.
“We are committed to working with the administration as a thorough investigation is conducted,” the Brookline Police Union said in a statement.
But the union noted that Danforth has served on the police force for 14 years and won the title of “Officer of the Year” in 2021.
He is also a veteran of the United States Army.
“Although Det. During Danforth’s years of service to our country and community, we also recognize that no one is perfect,” the statement said.
“We believe that one instance of alleged misconduct should not overshadow his exemplary service to Brookline and our country.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
