On March 17, 2012 D.E.P. Officer Joe Tactuk brutally beat, suffocated James C. Barnes to death in front of multiple witnesses. The only injuries to either of the two officers involved, was the right hand of Officer Joe Tactuk, while James Barnes autopsy revealed the cause of death was "Complications of Asphyxia" with contributory conditions being "Blunt trauma, restraint" and "Homicide" listed as the manner of death.

Former DEP Officer (Now Port Richey, FL Police Officer) Joe Tactuk was not drug tested, and we do not know if he was on any drugs himself.  It is possible, that he may have been using steroids & experiencing a "roid rage" at the time of James' death, based on his actions that day, and witness statements. The lack of drug testing an officer involved in homicide was negligent, and did not allow for a proper investigation of Tactuk's actions.  Officer Ken Kubler of Pinellas County Sheriff's Dept. used excessive force with the use of a taser, deploying it a total of 5 times, 3 of which were after Barnes stopped moving.  By not de-escalating the situation, Kubler assisted in this manslaughter & homicide. Both officers were negligent in providing medical care, and left the victim for dead.  CPR was only administered by an off duty Lt.for a fire dept. and an off duty medical professional.  

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri changed and blatantly changed & falsified information he provided in press conferences routinely, following the events, which likely assisting in deciding the publics view of their crime, ultimately causing public commenting favoring the officers actions, and bringing further dismay, mental and emotional harm to the family & loved ones already suffering.  This likely also assisted Bernie McCabe in his decision to excuse the officers, with minimal punishment for Tactuk, and no punishment for Kubler. Investigating officers from Pinellas County Sheriff's Department and Bob Gualtieri seemingly altered &/or suppressed key witnesses statements to fit their own narratives, according to at least 3 of the witnesses.  

Kenneth Kubler had a prior incident also excused, where he shot & killed an unarmed man, Dustin Dean, for being a suspect in a drug charge, on 9-24-2002. Kenneth Kubler assisted Joe Tactuk with the public manslaughter of James C. Barnes and should be charged the same as the officers were who killed George Floyd.  We would like to also point out the similarities in the death between James C. Barnes & George Floyd and would like to point out that both died from complications of asphyxia. James' death was much more violent and brutal and contributing factors to his death were the amount of punches he received from Tactuk.  

Tactuk had a duty to protect and serve, and to investigate any actions he thought may have been taking place.  Paula Yount told me herself, within hours of this incident, that James never struck her, as falsely accused by Tactuk. James was not breaking any laws. The arrest was unlawful, and Tactuk killed James C. Barnes with his bare hands.  Kubler had a responsibility to stop the killing, not assist in it.  

We are calling for the arrest of:
Joe Tactuk: for 1st Degree Manslaughter
Ken Kubler: 2nd Degree Manslaughter of James Barnes
Bob Gualtieri - Obstructing Justice & Tampering with &/or suppressing witness statements. Failure of his duties to arrest.  Failing to properly investigate a homicide, drug testing only the victim, and not the assailant.  Falsifying information of an investigation as per at least 3 witness statements. 

We further demand a full investigation of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department and the Florida State Attorney's office, specifically Bob Gualtieri & Bernie McCabe, for inexcusable dismissal, and inappropriate actions, mentioned above, in regard to the murder of James Barnes. Their lack of appropriate actions and incorrectly labeling this as an "excusable homicide" allowed dangerous individuals to continue "serving" the public, thus allowing Joe Tactuk to become a law enforcement officer in another county, after being fired from the DEP, and allowing both Tactuk & Kubler to continue in law enforcement, posing continued threats, and dangers, to the wellbeing of the citizens that live in, and visit the State of Florida.