PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Detention Officer has been arrested for child abuse after allegedly battering a 15-year-old male inmate at the Pinellas Juvenile Detention Center.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau deputies made the arrest.
According to deputies, the incident occurred on March 11, 2025. A 15-year-old male inmate at the detention center, located at 5255 140th Avenue North, requested assistance from staff. The detention officer, 60-year-old Anthony Sandora, was on duty and assigned to the inmate’s housing area.
READ: Tampa Man Accused Of Chilling Human Trafficking Operation: Victim Rescued
Deputies reported that when the inmate’s requests for assistance went unanswered, he began kicking his cell door. Sandora then opened the door, entered the cell, slapped the inmate in the face, and pushed him onto a bed. Sandora then threw the inmate’s belongings out of the cell into the hallway before leaving.
Approximately five minutes later, Sandora re-entered the cell after the inmate began to intentionally flood his cell with water. Deputies state that Sandora then grabbed the inmate by the neck, pushed him back onto the bed, and punched him in the face. The inmate was moved to an isolation cell and did not sustain any injuries.
READ: Teen Student Arrested For Bringing Loaded Handgun To Middleton High School In Tampa
Sandora was arrested on March 12, 2025, and charged with one count of Child Abuse. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
Sandora had been employed with the Department of Juvenile Justice for approximately 10 months and was terminated for violating the department’s policies.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
