Arizona detention officer charged with sex crime against minor

PHOENIX – A detention officer for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, the agency said Wednesday.

Rick Vasquez, 42, of Coolidge, was taken into custody from his home by the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 6:30 a.m. Investigators said they found child pornography on his cellphone, ABC15 reported.

Sheriff Mark Lamb posted a video on social media the same day announcing the bust.

“One of our employees was arrested by another agency. I cannot get into the details of the case … but it does involve internet crimes,” Lamb said. He did not name suspect but added the man had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

“I wanted you to hear it from me first,” he said, to end the video.

Vasquez reportedly told authorities that he distributed the pictures and videos through social media.

He will not be paid for the duration of the leave, Pinal Central online reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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