The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested one of its own deputies for allegedly trying to seduce a girl he believed to be 14-years-old and sending nude photos to her — all the while he was messaging an undercover LCSO investigator.
Jarrod Eldridge, 27, was take into custody Thursday on charges of using a computer to solicit or lure a child and transmitting material harmful to minors.
Eldridge, who has worked in the sheriff’s office since 2018, was caught by his colleagues on Wednesday when detectives with the LCSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit began a proactive undercover operation.
“During the operation … Eldridge engaged in communication via an electronic device with a person whom he believed to be a fourteen-year-old female,” read an LCSO news release. “In the communications, Eldridge spoke about engaging in sexual activities and sent pictures of himself.”
Earlier this month:Leon County paramedic arrested on child pornography charges
The following day, warrants were issued for his arrest and he was brought to the Leon County Detention Facility. He was released on a $2,000 bond hours after he was taken into custody.
At the time of his arrest, Eldridge was a bailiff deputy. He has been served notice of termination, an LCSO news release said.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation, conducted with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and United States Homeland Security Investigations,” the release said, adding that anyone with information about this case or any cases of exploitation of children, are urged to contact the Special Victims Unit at (850) 606-3300. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 850-574-8477.
Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $500 to $5,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.
Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.