2 Central Florida corrections officers charged in inmate beating

An inmate being held in minimum security at the Central Florida Reception Center in east Orange County suffered a severe beating on March 2. Now, two corrections officers at the State facility are facing criminal charges under an information filed by the office of the Nineteenth Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell. Inmate Robert Panayotis, of Volusia County, was taken to the emergency room and suffered permanent disfigurement, according to the results of the investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General. One of the corrections officers who was supposed to maintain order and safety behind bars was Samsara Clophat.Instead, she and fellow corrections officer Ruben Saintilus are facing charges of aggravated battery” causing great bodily harm, “tampering with physical evidence,” and “use of force.” The Florida Department of Corrections investigation alleges Clophat assisted Saintilus in the brutal beating. Investigators say Saintilus “battered the victim” by “striking him in the head and face” with his “radio.” They allege Clophat “forced the door closed when the victim pleaded for his life.” The reason for the beating? Officers thought Panayotis “possibly had contraband.” Clophat faced a Judge inside the Orange County Jail during her first appearance on Thursday.She was granted bond, ordered to stay away from the victim, and remains on administrative leave from the Department of Corrections, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal review by the FDC. With security cameras inside the prison and witness testimony from other corrections officers, this may seem like an easy prosecution.But WESH 2 News has investigated other attacks by corrections officers, and they don’t always result in cases being brought to trial. In July 2019, inmate Otis Miller was severely beaten in the yard at Lake Correctional Institution in Clermont — all captured on video by another inmate with a contraband cellphone. We asked Miller in June 2023, (Fox) “Did you think you were going to survive that?” (Miller) “No, sir. I thought, I thought I was going to die that day! Honestly. I thought I was going to die.” The state fired four corrections officers, but in October 2022, prosecutors in the office of the Circuit Five State Attorney dropped the case, saying they wouldn’t be able to convince a jury which officer caused various injuries to Miller. In this new case, WESH 2 News went to the Orlando home of Saintilus, but no one answered, and authorities believe he’s on the run.A warrant has been drawn for his arrest, according to an FDC spokesperson, who provided no other comment on the case. Late Thursday, FDC provided WESH 2 News with a statement, reading:”Every FDC staff member is held to the highest standards of accountability and professionalism. FDC has zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind and any willful breach of our values or participation in illegal activity by FDC staff will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and arrest.”Ruben Saintilus and Samsara Clophat were placed on other temporary duties, which limits contact with inmates, on March 3 and 4, 2025. Saintilus was dismissed on September 18, 2025, and dismissal for Clophat is currently being processed.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA, USA —

An inmate being held in minimum security at the Central Florida Reception Center in east Orange County suffered a severe beating on March 2. Now, two corrections officers at the State facility are facing criminal charges under an information filed by the office of the Nineteenth Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell.

Inmate Robert Panayotis, of Volusia County, was taken to the emergency room and suffered permanent disfigurement, according to the results of the investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General.

One of the corrections officers who was supposed to maintain order and safety behind bars was Samsara Clophat.

Instead, she and fellow corrections officer Ruben Saintilus are facing charges of aggravated battery” causing great bodily harm, “tampering with physical evidence,” and “use of force.”

The Florida Department of Corrections investigation alleges Clophat assisted Saintilus in the brutal beating.

Investigators say Saintilus “battered the victim” by “striking him in the head and face” with his “radio.” They allege Clophat “forced the door closed when the victim pleaded for his life.” The reason for the beating? Officers thought Panayotis “possibly had contraband.”

Clophat faced a Judge inside the Orange County Jail during her first appearance on Thursday.

She was granted bond, ordered to stay away from the victim, and remains on administrative leave from the Department of Corrections, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal review by the FDC.

With security cameras inside the prison and witness testimony from other corrections officers, this may seem like an easy prosecution.

But WESH 2 News has investigated other attacks by corrections officers, and they don’t always result in cases being brought to trial.

In July 2019, inmate Otis Miller was severely beaten in the yard at Lake Correctional Institution in Clermont — all captured on video by another inmate with a contraband cellphone.

We asked Miller in June 2023, (Fox) “Did you think you were going to survive that?” (Miller) “No, sir. I thought, I thought I was going to die that day! Honestly. I thought I was going to die.”

The state fired four corrections officers, but in October 2022, prosecutors in the office of the Circuit Five State Attorney dropped the case, saying they wouldn’t be able to convince a jury which officer caused various injuries to Miller.

In this new case, WESH 2 News went to the Orlando home of Saintilus, but no one answered, and authorities believe he’s on the run.

A warrant has been drawn for his arrest, according to an FDC spokesperson, who provided no other comment on the case.

Late Thursday, FDC provided WESH 2 News with a statement, reading:

“Every FDC staff member is held to the highest standards of accountability and professionalism. FDC has zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind and any willful breach of our values or participation in illegal activity by FDC staff will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and arrest.

“Ruben Saintilus and Samsara Clophat were placed on other temporary duties, which limits contact with inmates, on March 3 and 4, 2025. Saintilus was dismissed on September 18, 2025, and dismissal for Clophat is currently being processed.”