'His Behavior Was Repulsive,' Sheriff Grady Judd Said Following Detention Deputy's Arrest

FLORIDA — A Polk County Jail detention deputy is accused of forcing a female inmate to touch him inappropriately, a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release said.

Fifty-seven-year-old Robert Collins faces charges of misuse of public office/unlawful solicitation and lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of an employee, deputies said.

Collins, who worked as a detention deputy for 11.5 years with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, is accused of approaching an inmate in a sexual way and coercing her to show him her breasts and touch herself, according to the news release.

The inmate told authorities he would force her to rub her hand over his clothed crotch area. Initially, the victim was afraid to refuse his demands because she was soon to be released from jail, and she didn't want her refusal to backfire on her, detectives said.

According to investigators, Collins denied the inmate's accusations when they first interviewed him. When deputies went into detail about what they were told by the inmate and then they asked him if it was true, he said, "I don't know, it's possible."

Collins resigned from the deputy job prior to being booked in the Polk County Jail March 10.

He posted a $6,000 bond and has recently been released, according to authorities.

“I thank our victim for coming forward and reporting this reprehensible behavior," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "We are just not going to put up with this kind of abuse from someone the public trusts to keep our inmates safely housed while they are incarcerated. His behavior was repulsive, he betrayed our trust, and we are holding him accountable.”