A former Florida deputy is accused of forcing a person into sex acts by threatening to arrest them if they refused, authorities said Friday.
According to a news release from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Zachary Scott Carter, 30, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of sexual battery with no serious personal injury.
Carter had been a deputy with the sheriff’s office since 2018 and had no previous disciplinary actions in his file, WFLA-TV reported. He resigned his position after learning about the investigation, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Carter surrendered to Pasco County authorities on Thursday, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators said they were notified earlier this year that Carter coerced the victim to have sex with him on two different occasions in two locations, WFLA reported.
Carter was on duty and in uniform during both encounters, the sheriff’s office said in its release. Investigators said that Carter told the victim that they would face an arrest “for failing to comply with his wishes.”
“I’m both disappointed and appalled by the actions of this former deputy,” Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said in a statement. “I hold my employees to the highest standards of conduct and professionalism and will not tolerate any departure from those standards.”
Carter’s bail was set at $10,000, WTSP-TV reported.
The investigation is ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.
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