Charlotte County deputy arrested, accused of inappropriately communicating with a minor

A Charlotte County deputy was arrested and is facing multiple charges for crimes involving a minor.According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office news release, James Ford was taken into custody after a CCSO investigation and is being held at the Charlotte County Jail.CCSO said investigators discovered Ford was having inappropriate communications with a minor through social media.Ford is facing charges of solicitation of a minor, sending harmful material to a minor, and harmful communication with a minor.”Any time a deputy is arrested, it damages the trust that we have worked so hard to build with our community,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said via news release. “With something as serious as an arrest, and especially of this nature, I wanted to make sure you heard this news directly from me.”Prummell also said Ford was placed on administrative leave without pay at this time.This is a developing story and will be updated.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

A Charlotte County deputy was arrested and is facing multiple charges for crimes involving a minor.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office news release, James Ford was taken into custody after a CCSO investigation and is being held at the Charlotte County Jail.

CCSO said investigators discovered Ford was having inappropriate communications with a minor through social media.

Ford is facing charges of solicitation of a minor, sending harmful material to a minor, and harmful communication with a minor.

“Any time a deputy is arrested, it damages the trust that we have worked so hard to build with our community,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said via news release. “With something as serious as an arrest, and especially of this nature, I wanted to make sure you heard this news directly from me.”

Prummell also said Ford was placed on administrative leave without pay at this time.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.