Crime & Safety

Manatee Sheriff's Lieutenant Faces Molestation Charges

A veteran lieutenant with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office was arrested Thursday.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s lieutenant faces three charges of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child.

Lt. Dale Couch, a 20-year officer with the sheriff's office, was arrested Thursday. Couch, 50, has been suspended without pay.

The charges are in connection to allegations made in July 25, 2012, to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The allegations involved inappropriate touching of a juvenile and date back to 2009.

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The allegations were investigated by the sheriff's office and the State Attorney's Office, but charges were not brought at the time. The case was re-opened in March 2013, when new allegations were brought forward. The new information resulted in Thursday's arrest and charges.

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