A Texas sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for raping a child and soliciting a minor online.
Landon Slatter, 42, was arrested on Tuesday and “immediately”i submitted his resignation, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office said more charges are anticipated.
In January, the sheriff’s office was informed by a parent that their 17-year-old son was a victim of sexual abuse and exploitation by adult men online. The abuse had reportedly started when the boy was around 14 or 15 years old.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that one of the abusers was Slatter, who had solicited a sexual encounter from the boy while he was at work. He was subsequently arrested and placed in Montgomery County jail, with a bond set at $100,000.
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle emphasized the agency’s commitment to upholding trust and ensuring community safety in a statement, stating, “The actions of one individual do not define the dedication and integrity of the men and women who serve honorably in this agency.”
The sheriff’s office said Slatter had been with the department for 15 years. The department did not say if any other men were involved.