BCSO: Inmates attempted fraud by putting toxic chemical on skin

PANAMA CITY — Seven inmates are charged with insurance fraud after the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said they intentionally put a toxic chemical on their skin or ingested it.

Steven Floyd Clemons Jr., 39, James Cooper, 38, Joshua Fate Bagley Jr., 33, Anthony Goodwin, 27, James "Freddie" Seaborn, 37, Daniel Joseph Edwards, 27, and J. Michael Pennington, 31, are charged with insurance fraud. Terrance Scales, 39, and Christopher Hardison, 37, allegedly collected the cleaning solution and water mix and are charged with introduction of contraband.

"It was learned by examining video taken of the seven inmates in the small room that, while the corrections officer was outside the door asking for medical to come to the room, one of the inmates had collected the cleaning solution into a Mountain Dew bottle," a news release stated. "On video the inmate pulls the hidden bottle from the waist band of his pants and the rest of the inmates in the room pour some of the liquid in their hands and intentionally put it on their skin, in their eyes, or ingest it prior to the medical examination."

The inmates came into contact with the cleaning liquid after work crews preparing the jail roof for repairs on May 23 spilled about a quart of it, which mixed with water from air conditioning units.

"Seven inmates began to complain of reactions about 10 minutes after the cleaning solution was spilled," the release stated. "The inmates were brought inside and the seven who complained of a reaction were allowed to take a shower. An investigation into the incident was conducted."

Inmates allegedly said they were "going to get paid" and if they "get $20,000 or $50,000 we donate $5,000 to the people that can't have legal mail."

BCSO said four of the seven inmates, when interviewed, admitted to placing the solution on themselves in order to file the insurance claim. A search within a pod turned up what is believed to be the bottles of solution.

"I am very proud of the work our investigators have done on this incident, both at the Bay County Jail and Criminal Investigations," Sheriff Tommy Ford stated. "We will not allow these inmates to take advantage of the taxpaying citizens of Bay County."