Deputy Facing Molestation Charges Resigns

A 20-year deputy facing child molestation charges has resigned from his post with the Manatee County Sheriff's Department.

Lt. Dale Couch, 50, submitted his letter of resignation dated May 23, 2013. (See attached pdf.) The letter states that Couch is resigning for "personal reasons."

Couch has been suspended with pay since March 29, according to Bradenton.com. He was arrested last Thursday following a second investigation into allegations against him.

At a hearing Tuesday, a judge set bonds of $207,000, according to Bradenton.com. The hearing included testimony from a therapist who alleged that Couch had made threatening statements against the victims in the case.

Conditions of Couch's release require him to wear an ankle bracelet and that all firearms be removed from his home.

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. According to WTSP, Couch's wife made the initial allegations against her husband, after an incident that occurred at the couple's home.

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.

For more coverage see Manatee Sheriff's Lieutenant Faces Molestation Charges.

For details on Tuesday's hearing, see Deputy Charged With Child Molestation Resigns from Sheriff's Office on Bradenton.com.

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