Florida Department of Corrections
Office of the Inspector General
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST
CASE # 17-17394
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
Table of Contents
I. AUTHORITY ................................................................................................................................ 4
II. METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................... 4
III. ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................... 4
IV. DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 5
V. PREDICATE ................................................................................................................................ 6
VI. SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS ............................................................................... 6
VII. CHARGES ................................................................................................................................... 7
VIII. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 7
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 2 of 7
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
Case Number: 17-17394
OIG Inspector: Inspector Brain K. Stagner
Outside Agency: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Outside Agency Investigator: Special Agent Charles Dickson
Date Assigned or Initiated: 09/26/2017
Complaint Against: Inmate Christopher Pate DC#R40189
Location of Incident – Institution/Facility/Office: Northwest Florida Reception Center
Complainant: Inmate Brain Otstot (deceased)
Outside Agency Case #: PE-37-0092
Use of Force Number: N/A
PREA Number: N/A
Classification of Incident: Homicide
Confidential Medical Information Included: X Yes No
Whistle-Blower Investigation: Yes X No
Chief Inspector General Case Number: N/A
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 3 of 7
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
I. AUTHORITY
The Florida Department of Corrections, Office of the Inspector General, by designation of the
Secretary and § 944.31, Florida Statutes, is authorized to conduct any criminal investigation that
occurs on property owned or leased by the department or involves matters over which the department
has jurisdiction.
The testimony references included in this report are summations of oral or written statements
provided to inspectors. Statements contained herein do not necessarily represent complete or
certified transcribed testimony, except as noted. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, all interviews
with witnesses, complainants, and subjects were audio or video recorded.
II. METHODOLOGY
The investigation reviewed the derivations of the allegation advanced by the complainant. The scope
of this investigation does not seek to specifically address tort(s), but violations of criminal statutes.
The criterion used to evaluate each contention or allegation was limited to the following standard of
analysis:
1. Did the subject’s action or behavior violate Florida criminal statutes?
III. ANALYSIS
The standard and analysis in this investigation is predicated with the burden of proving any violation of
law, established by probable cause. The evidence considered for analysis is confined to the facts and
allegations stated or reasonably implied. The actions or behavior of the subject are presumed to be
lawful and in compliance with the applicable Florida law, unless probable cause indicates the contrary.
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 4 of 7
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
IV. DEFINITIONS
Unfounded:
Refers to a disposition of a criminal case for which probable cause does not exist to suggest the
suspect’s behavior or action occurred nor is an arrest or formal charge being initiated.
Closed by Arrest:
Refers to a disposition of a criminal case for which probable cause exists that an identified subject
committed the offense and one for which an arrest or formal prosecution has been initiated.
Exceptionally Cleared:
Refers to a disposition of a criminal case for which probable cause exists that an identified suspect
committed the offense, but one for which an arrest or formal charge is not initiated, or in the case of a
death investigation, one for which no evidence exists that the death was the result of a crime or
neglect.
Open-Inactive:
Refers to a disposition of a criminal case for which a criminal investigation commenced, but where
evidence is insufficient to close as unfounded, closed by arrest, or exceptionally cleared.
Investigative Assist Closed
Refers to a disposition of an investigative assist, where the conduct being investigated by the outside
agency did not concern allegations against a Department employee, contractor, inmate, offender, or
other person either employed or under the supervision of the Department.
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 5 of 7
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
V. PREDICATE
On September 26, 2017, the Department of Corrections, Office of the Inspector General received
notification of a deceased inmate at NWFRC Annex. It was alleged Inmate Brian Otstot DC#H43768
was found inside his cell (J1-202). Also housed inside the cell was Inmate Christopher
Pate DC#R40189. Upon initial notification Inspector Brian K. Stagner responded to the institution to
provide investigative assistance to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on September 26,
2017.
VI. SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS
Based on the exhibits, witnesses’ testimony, subject officer’s statements, and the record as a whole,
presented or available to the primary inspector, the following findings of facts were determined:
According to FDLE Special Agent (SA) Charles Dickson, on September 26, 2017, The Florida
Department of Corrections, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), requested that the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) respond to the Northwest Florida Reception Center
(NWFRC) Annex in Chipley, Florida in reference to the death of Inmate Brian Otstot DC# H43768.
Specifically, Inmate Otstot was found deceased in his cell that was shared with another inmate. SA
Dickson, SA Dyana Chase and FDOC Inspector Brian K. Stagner responded to the incident.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Inmate Otstot was housed in the confinement dorm (J
dorm) with Inmate Christopher Pate DC#R40189. On September 26, 2017, correctional officers found
Inmate Otstot deceased in his cell. Once Inmate Otstot was located, his cellmate, Inmate Pate, stated
that he had killed him. Inmate Otstot’ s body and there was a white t-shirt
around Inmate Otstot’s neck. responded to the cell
and transported Inmate Otstot where
Inmate Otstot was later pronounced deceased
Inmate Pate was placed in a separate cell during the investigation.
SA Dickson and Chase conducted sworn interviews that responded
Inmate Otstot. Investigator Andrew Winkler of the Medical Examiner’s Office of the Fourteenth District
arrived and photographed the body. SA Dickson, SA Chase and Investigator Winkler went to the
scene located in J dorm.
Photos and evidence was collected by Investigator Winkler while at the cell.
SA Dickson retrieved the clothes of Inmate Pate. Investigator Winkler took photos of the clothing and
Inmate Pate. Investigator Winkler left NWFRC at approximately 2230 hours with Inmate Otstot’ s body
transporting it to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
SA Dickson collected fixed wing video, handheld video, and documentation regarding this incident for
the case file.
Inmate Pate’s clothes, buccal swabs, and the white shirt taken from the scene were taken as
evidence.
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 6 of 7
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
INVESTIGATIVE ASSIST SUMMARY REPORT
According to SA Chase, an autopsy was performed on Inmate Otstot by Dr. Jay Radtke and Assistant
Kayla Mitchell. According to Dr. Radtke the cause of death
On February 14, 2019, Inmate Christopher Pate signed a Plea Waiver and Consent affidavit, pleading
no contest to the charge of Second Degree Murder. Inmate Pate’s plea was accepted and he was
sentenced to Life in prison.
VII. CHARGES
Violation of § 782.04 (2) Florida Statutes, The unlawful killing of a human being, when perpetrated
by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human
life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual, is
murder in the second degree and constitutes a felony of the first degree.
VIII. CONCLUSION
Based on the information gathered during their investigation, it is the recommendation of FDLE
Special Agent Charles Dickson the allegation against Inmate Christopher Pate for Second Degree
Murder, in violation of 782.04 (2) be termed as follows:
Closed by Arrest
Inspector Stagner reviewed the investigation completed by FDLE, and administrative issues were not
identified.
Case Number: 17-17394 Page 7 of 7
