INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 10-year Indian River County sheriff’s veteran was arrested Monday after officials said he used protected information from the agency’s database to stalk a woman he met on social media. The deputy – identified as Samuel Marcus Earman – was also terminated the same day from the sheriff’s office.
“The woman came forward back in October and let us know she was afraid,” Sheriff Eric Flowers said during a Monday news conference. “There were several instances where he drove by her house in an agency vehicle. She blocked him (on social media). She made it abundantly clear and said ‘please do not contact me.’ He contacted her using fake social media profiles and other phone numbers.”
Earman, 35, was charged with stalking and offense against computer users. Earman was held Monday at the Indian River County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
An internal affairs investigation against Earman will be conducted following the criminal investigation, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Deputies searched Earman’s phone and discovered he sent the woman 23 files containing sexually explicit photos and videos of himself in uniform inside and outside of his patrol vehicle, reports show. The images and videos were taken while Earman was on duty, deputies said.
The stalking and cyberstalking incidents occurred from March to October in Indian River County. Flowers said Earman illegally used the agency’s Law Enforcement Records Management System database to find personal information about the woman, along with other possible victims.
“Our criminal justice information is protected,” Flowers said. “He misused that system. To violate that trust is completely unacceptable. He’s tarnished the badge. It’s an awful day when I have to stand up here and tell you that we’ve arrested one of our own.”
The woman contacted deputies in October and told them about the harassment from Earman, a road patrol deputy.
The woman said Earman sent her explicit messages and photos through text and social media, which made her extremely uncomfortable, reports show. The woman told deputies Earman’s actions were escalating and that she was willing to file a formal complaint about his harassing behavior.
The woman showed deputies screenshots of the messages.
Deputies later learned Earman drove by the woman’s home in his marked sheriff’s Ford F-150 pickup truck on June 23, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22, reports show. The September incident was captured on the woman’s Ring camera.
The woman told deputies she was afraid Earman would retaliate after he was made aware of her complaints, reports show.
On Oct. 28, Earman was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
During the investigation, deputies discovered Earman’s cell phone was in the area of the woman’s home on Oct. 22. Deputies said Earman was not in his assigned zone.
Flowers said he believes Earman may have stalked other women as well. Anyone who has received inappropriate messages from Earman should contact sheriff’s Det. Kerrie Crawford at 772-978-6240 or [email protected].
Earman also worked as a field training deputy while employed at the sheriff’s office. Flowers said Earman has not had any prior major disciplines or complaints while working as a deputy.
