PALM BAY, Fla. – A police officer was arrested and subsequently fired after an investigation into an “inappropriate relationship with a minor,” according to the Palm Bay Police Department.
Sheridon Archer, 23, was arrested Wednesday on two counts of lewd or lascivious battery – a felony – and his employment was terminated immediately, according to a news release.
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Palm Bay police said the department was called to a home on Sept. 18 for reports of an officer “involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.”
Archer is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl while on duty, according to the arrest affidavit.
FDLE said that Archer contacted the girl through a two different social media apps, MeetMe and Snapchat, and met the victim for sex on two separate occasions, both times while on duty.
According to an affidavit, Archer also told investigators he used these apps to receive naked pictures from the victim as well as send naked pictures to the victim. Archer claimed he believed the victim was 19 years old, the affidavit continues.
The department said it requested an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. State investigators developed probable cause for Archer’s arrest, according to the release.
Archer had been employed with the department for nine months prior to his arrest, according to police.
Archer was booked into the Brevard County Jail and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
He faced Judge Judy Atkin at the jail on his charges on Thursday.
“No contact with the victim or the victim’s family,” Atkin said as she set conditions of his bond. “No contact with anyone under the age of 18 and no return to the location, and I’m going to add no weapons, firearms or ammunition.”
He will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial Circuit.
The next court date for the former officer is his arraignment scheduled for Oct. 25.
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