Gabriel Black / Contributed photoTwo men have been charged in a Tuesday incident at the Bradley Central High School ball fields, according to a news release from the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
Witnesses reported that they saw Tristan Palmer of Madisonville, Tennessee, 23, and Gabriel Black of Cleveland, Tennessee, 27, assaulting an initially handcuffed 13-year-old boy at around 6 p.m. by throwing him to the ground, smacking him, making him run laps, flip tires and cursing at the child as the boy was observed crying. When witnesses attempted to intervene, the two men again handcuffed the boy and placed him inside a vehicle.
The boy stated he had been handcuffed, taken from his home and forced into a vehicle by Palmer and Black. He was then driven to the ball fields where he was forced to perform physical exercise in the heat of the day without water. When he refused, he was threatened with a Taser by one of the men while the other unsnapped a holstered handgun, putting him in fear, he said.
Tristan Palmer / Contributed photoAn investigation determined that Palmer and Black were dressed in military-style battle dress uniforms with badges, police-style duty belts and carrying handguns at the time of the incident. They were later found to be working for a fugitive recovery company, and both said they were sent by their boss to "work this kid and give him a boot camp," the release states.
The men have been charged with kidnapping and aggravated child abuse. An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to call detective Robby Hair with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 423-728-7306.
- Compiled by Kim Sebring