Deputy Arrested, Fired After Social Media Probe

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Pasco County school resource officer was fired Friday after an investigation concluded he had inappropriate conversations with students on Snapchat. Cpl. Milton Arroyo had been on unpaid administrative leave since the allegations against him came to light earlier this year.

A few hours after the sheriff's office announced Arroyo's termination, the agency reported his arrest for allegedly "accessing a law enforcement database to gain information on women he was interested in," an email from the sheriff's office said.

An investigation into Arroyo's alleged activities kicked off earlier this year when parents at Fivay High School in Hudson complained he was having inappropriate conversations with female students via social media sites. Arroyo served as the school resource officer at Fivay at that time.

Investigators who looked into the allegations say Arroyo asked female students for pictures and that there were “sexual references” in the chats. Multiple students reported having conversations of that nature with Arroyo, Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a Friday press conference.

Arroyo was fired based on an internal investigation that charged him with six counts of conduct unbecoming an officer, the agency reported. He does not face criminal charges for the social media conversations because he did not technically commit a sex-related crime, authorities said.

“This is extremely frustrating because we know what he was doing, but the law has not kept up with technology,” Nocco said. “He was dancing the line.” In order to be charged with solicitation, Arroyo would have had to mention specific body parts, but he did not, officials said.

The criminal charge stems from the agency's discovery of Arroyo's alleged improper use of its technology, the agency reported. Arroyo was booked into the Land O' Lakes Jail late Friday afternoon. His bond was set at $5,000, the sheriff's office said.

The case, Nocco said, stands as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about monitoring their children’s social media and internet use. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about their online activities.

This is the second time in the past few weeks a deputy from the Tampa Bay area has been relieved of duty after Snapchat messages surfaced. Last week, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced the firing of one of its own after the deputy was accused of posting something that whipped up anti-law enforcement sentiments.

Photos courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office