INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Seminole County patrol deputy David Rodriguez was arrested on an Indian River County warrant after the Sheriff’s Office received a tip he had solicited a 17-year-old female for sex, authorities said.
According to an official release from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the girl’s father told officials his daughter had been contacted by the 28-year-old through Facebook.
Rodriguez had been acquainted with the teen for several years through martial arts tournaments they were both involved in, according to police.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Detective Jeremy Shepherd “reviewed the Facebook correspondence and determined that it met the elements for lewd computer solicitation of a child,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Rodriguez was arrested on Thursday night and booked into the Seminole County Jail on one count of lewd computer solicitation of a child and is being held on $50,000 bond.
“We are grateful for the assistance and cooperation we have received from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar released the statement. “(Seminole County) Sheriff Eslinger and his employees have shown that, like us, they are serious about policing the police. Detective Shepherd has had the arduous task of arresting a fellow law enforcement officer. We applaud his efforts and his work in this case.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
