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Fracas leads to arrest of firefighting twins
The pair, on the force for two years, will remain on the job while the case is reviewed, said fire rescue officials.
By JACOB H. FRIES
Published March 31, 2006
CLEARWATER - Two off-duty city firefighters were charged with disorderly conduct after beating a man in a parking lot along Gulfview Boulevard on Clearwater Beach, police said Thursday.
The firefighters, twin brothers Sean and Matthew Lefort, 24, were believed to be the aggressors in the scuffle, which broke out about 2 a.m. Monday at 521 S Gulfview Blvd., police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. The pair appeared to be intoxicated at the time.
"Both of these gentlemen were striking the man and one of the brothers was kicking him while he was on the ground," Shelor said.
Rather than be taken to jail, the brothers were given a notice to appear in court on the misdemeanor charges and released into the custody of a third person, which is common in such situations, Shelor said. Sean Lefort also was charged with resisting arrest without violence, also a misdemeanor.
The other man involved was Daniel Cassavar, 21, of Tampa, whose injuries were not considered serious, Shelor said. Efforts to reach Cassavar Thursday were unsuccessful.
The Lefort brothers, who joined Clearwater Fire Rescue about two years ago, will remain on the job while the case is reviewed, said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Dube. City and fire officials planned to interview the brothers today.
The brothers could not be reached for comment Thursday.
County records show both men have been arrested in the past.
In November 1999, Largo police arrested Sean Lefort on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. Prosecutors later abandoned the case.
In July 2003, St. Petersburg officers arrested his brother Matthew on a charge of battery to a paramedic. That case was eventually dismissed.
Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 445-4156 or jfries@sptimes.com
[Last modified March 31, 2006, 01:09:18]
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