Florida deputy Donald Valverde fired and arrested for allegedly molesting child in his care: sheriff

A Florida sheriff’s corporal was fired and arrested on child molestation allegations involving a minor, authorities said.

Donald Valverde served as a corporal with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy was taken into custody after an underage victim came forward this week, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Chris Nocco described the allegations against the corporal as “horrendous,” officials said.

Investigators said Valverde and the minor knew each other. Authorities described the connection between them as a custodial relationship, police said.

The alleged abuse was not something that happened once, according to the sheriff.

The victim told investigators the conduct had been happening over a “lengthy period of time,” detectives said.

Valverde was immediately fired from the agency, the sheriff’s office said.

The former deputy is facing two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, according to records. He also faces one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, authorities said.

Valverde had worked for the sheriff’s office since 2015, starting out in patrol before eventually being moved into logistics. Sheriff Nocco described his former corporal as “not a stellar deputy.”

The sheriff confirmed that Valverde had previously been investigated over “domestic situations,” officials said. There was not enough evidence at the time to terminate him, Nocco said.

After more than a decade with the department, the former lawman is sitting on the other side of the law, authorities said.

Officials have not released the minor’s identity or the exact timeline of the allegations, police said.

Investigators are asking any other potential victims to come forward, according to the sheriff’s office.

Valverde is accused and has not been convicted, authorities noted.