Post by Shuftin on Jul 24, 2006 23:22:07 GMT -5
CHEROKEE - A patrol officer and DARE instructor in the Cherokee Police Department was fired this week after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of child molestation.
Tony D. Roberts pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact, according to a court document filed Monday.
Police Chief Eric Pritchett of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians said the charges were not related to Roberts’ job as an officer or the school where he taught Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
“He was an exemplary officer,” Pritchett said.
But Pritchett fired him this week after an investigation by the FBI resulted in the officer’s indictment.
The indictment described the molestation of at least one girl, between the ages of 12 and 15. It did not disclose whether more than one victim was involved. A complaint by authorities was sealed by court order.
The touching, oral sex and other sexual abuse, as described in the indictment, happened between August 1, 2004, and March 27, 2006..
Roberts had worked for the department in the past, Pritchett said, but he rejoined just a few months ago.
Tony D. Roberts pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact, according to a court document filed Monday.
Police Chief Eric Pritchett of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians said the charges were not related to Roberts’ job as an officer or the school where he taught Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
“He was an exemplary officer,” Pritchett said.
But Pritchett fired him this week after an investigation by the FBI resulted in the officer’s indictment.
The indictment described the molestation of at least one girl, between the ages of 12 and 15. It did not disclose whether more than one victim was involved. A complaint by authorities was sealed by court order.
The touching, oral sex and other sexual abuse, as described in the indictment, happened between August 1, 2004, and March 27, 2006..
Roberts had worked for the department in the past, Pritchett said, but he rejoined just a few months ago.