Crime & Safety

Officials: Police Aide Sent Explicit Photos to Girl, 11, on Facebook

Toby Lamar Malloy, 35, met the girl at the Clearwater Main Library where he was assigned, according to police.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 2:33 p.m. with more information.

A Clearwater Police aide is charged with sending sexually explicit pictures through Facebook to an 11-year-old girl he met at the library, officials said Tuesday.

Investigators say Toby Lamar Malloy, 35, was communicating with the girl online and sent her several explicit images. 

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The victim's mother had contacted the Clearwater Police Department concerning the Facebook messages, officials said. Detectives in the Crimes Against Children and Families began an undercover operation, communicating with Malloy through Facebook and email.

Malloy is charged with transmission of material harmful to minors. He was arrested at his Clearwater home Monday and transported to Pinellas County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 bond.

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Malloy was hired by the city in 2010 and has worked as part-time custodial worker, part-time police aide and full-time police aide, public safety spokesperson Elizabeth Watts said. He was assigned to the main library at the time he met the girl, Watts said.

Aides are typically tasked with assisting children crossing the street to and from school, directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic, patrolling parks or other city facilities and summoning police officers when criminal matters and hazards arise.

Aides and all city employees undergo the Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal background check, state sexual predators check and local law checks, Watts said.

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