PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A former deputy from Florida, who was immediately fired after punching a handcuffed inmate several times, will be allowed to seek certification in South Dakota as a law enforcement officer.
A Florida jury found Kevin Fanti not-guilty of using excessive force in the 2019 incident at the Broward County jail. However, in 2023, his Florida certification was revoked. Since then, Fanti has been working for private security. He recently applied for certification in South Dakota.
On Tuesday, the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission listened to evidence, spent 30 minutes discussing the matter in executive session, and ultimately declared Fanti eligible to be a law enforcement officer here.
The panel’s decision was split. Lincoln County State’s Attorney Thomas Wollmann and South Dakota Attorney General voted no.
The commission, which was meeting in Deadwood, had viewed part of a jailhouse video that showed Fanti punching the inmate twice in the head and then punching the inmate two more times on the ground. The commission also heard a review from special investigating agent Guy DiBenedetto.
Fanti, who represented himself, told the commission that he was in fear of being choked by the inmate, whose hands were cuffed in front of him. “I’m much more mature now,” said Fanti, who vowed that he wouldn’t do it again.
Mark Vargo, who serves as the commission’s attorney, asked Fanti what he would do differently. Fanti said he would back up and let the jail staff take care of the inmate.
Fanti told the commission that he arrived in the United States at age 21 from Brazil, taught himself English, and in 2018 went to the law enforcement academy in Florida. He became a patrol deputy. He said no other complaints have been filed against him.
Dan Satterlee, director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, serves as the commission’s chair. Satterlee asked Fanti why he approached the inmate with a document. “I didn’t want him to come towards us again,” Fanti said. “I just decided to pick it up and give it back to him, so he didn’t have to come towards us.”
Fanti added that he has reflected a lot about what happened. “There’s not a single day that passes that this doesn’t come to mind,” Fanti said.
At Fanti’s request, the commission watched the remainder of the video showing what happened prior to Fanti striking the inmate.
Commission attorney Vargo in closing said that Fanti “physically initiated contact” and the inmate reacted to Fanti’s action. “The marshals stepped in and told Mister Fanti to get back,” Vargo said.
Fanti responded, “I can’t change what happened in the past. I can change what will happen in the future.” He added, “This means a lot to me, to be a law enforcement officer again. I can make a difference in the world.”
