x
Breaking News
More () »

Pinellas sheriff calls 10 Tampa Bay jail investigation 'embarrassing,' makes changes

In an email containing a link to our investigation, the Pinellas County sheriff called what we found “embarrassing” and increased penalties for distracted deputies.

Jenna Bourne (WTSP), Libby Hendren

Play Video

Close Video

Published: 1:23 PM EST December 21, 2022
Updated: 1:25 PM EST December 21, 2022

The Pinellas County Sheriff is making changes because of 10 Investigates’ story last month on distracted detention deputies.  

We reported last month that surveillance videos showed four Pinellas County detention deputies watching Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook videos and reading “Harry Potter” while on the job. 

Since that investigation came out, 10 Investigates has learned about another distracted detention deputy caught on camera in the Pinellas County Jail. 

Surveillance video shows Deputy Ryan Tonge watching MMA fight and basketball videos when he was supposed to be monitoring people in the jail on suicide watch. 

“I know that what I did was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done that,” Tonge told internal investigators. 

   

Before You Leave, Check This Out