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Sam Penrod ReportingA disturbing case of child sex abuse in Utah County, where the suspect is a sworn law enforcement officer.
Eyewitness News has learned the allegations surfaced about a month ago. Since then, the veteran Sheriff's Deputy has resigned, and is now the focus of a criminal investigation, but so far he has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
If the allegations were to be proven in court, it would be a tragic story of children abused by a sworn police officer. An unidentified deputy with the Utah County Sheriff's Department has resigned after allegations against him that he molested children.
One of the deputy's alleged victims told Eyewitness News, "there were several victims of child molestation."
According to Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy, an internal investigation by the sheriff's department began last month and found enough evidence to justify disciplinary action against the deputy, who was suspended without pay. The deputy later resigned from the department after learning the sheriff planned to fire him. The deputy had worked with the sheriff's department for about 12 years.
The case is now being investigated by the Utah County Attorney's office for possible criminal charges. Investigators won't discuss anything related to the case, because the investigation is in the early stages. But if charges are filed, the former deputy could face more serious charges, because as a law enforcement officer, he was in a position of trust.
So far, the deputy accused of these allegations is not being identified, because he has not been arrested or criminally charged. The Utah County Sheriff confirmed our information, but chose not to discuss the case on camera.
