LCSO employee on leave as sheriff’s office investigates offensive drawing

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A Lee County Sheriff’s Office employee was placed on administrative leave over a drawing.

This is all started after North Fort Myers baseball coach Tavaris Gary posted a photo to Facebook of a drawing depicting him with what appears to be a noose around his neck.

A video posted to social media showing former North Fort Myers coach David Bechtol smashing the drawing.

Gary is now taking legal action, saying in the video, you can hear Bechtol’s wife Shelly chanting on the attack.

Shelly Bechtol works for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Scott has now ordered an internal affairs investigation into the case. Shelly Bechtol has been placed on administrative leave for the moment.

WINK News spoke with attorney Sawyer Smith who is representing Gary. He says the two are pleased with the response from the sheriff’s office.

“The noose, it’s a symbol. It’s a symbol of hate,” said Gary.

He says he’s not sure why they would do this.

David Bechtol spoke to WINK News off camera. He says the pictures were not racist and the entire situation is being blown out of proportion.

He tells us his wife Shelly drew the pictures and he’s the person on camera smashing the drawings.

The couple says they are now seeking legal council because of how much attention this story has gained.

Bechtol also says while his wife drew the pictures, she did not draw the noose. He says their house is always open to students and a student from the high school drew the noose.