Posted on 01/05/2010 10:27:16 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
A School Resource Officer at East Ridge Middle School who had been placed on administrative leave after "allegations of misconduct" in mid-December has now been charged with two counts of aggravated statutory rape.
Jeff Edwin Baker, 38, was arrested on the charges on Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said the School Resource Officer for East Ridge Middle School had sex with a 15-year-old girl at the Waterford Place Apartments on Shallowford Road.
A criminal complaint said officers found there were 372 text messages going from the girl to his phone at all hours of the day and night and 301 text message he sent to her.
Authorities said a 17-year-old corroborated that the girl and the officer had a close relationship. She told of seeing them together at the Waterford Place hot tub and said the girl told her they had
sex afterward.
Authorities taped a 10-minute call in which the girl quizzed the SRO on whether he had told others they had sex. He did not admit having sex, but the complaint says "at no time did Jeff Edwin Baker say the conversation was inappropriate or did he terminate the conversation due to ---'s allegation. He told her they could talk at school."
His bond was set at a total $20,000.
Baker is due to appear in General Sessions Court on Jan. 19.
The sheriff's office said in early November, it was notified by the East Ridge Police Department regarding allegations of improper contact between Deputy Baker and the teenage girl. An investigation was initiated that resulted in his arrest.
The statement from the sheriff's office said, "The investigation has shown that one incident occurred at East Ridge Middle School where Deputy Baker was assigned as the School Resource Officer. The second incident occurred at a local apartment complex."
Sheriff Jim Hammond said, "I insist that all law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard of conduct and I promise that, although these are just allegations at this time, we still take them very seriously.
”From the notification of the charges, HCSO investigators examined the allegations to be presented to the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
“Afterwards, the decision was made to proceed with a criminal complaint, and now we will allow the judicial system to do its part and bring this to a conclusion.”
“Any time a situation like this happens, it saddens all of us. We are committed, however, to provide a safe environment for all the citizens of Hamilton County. This incident in no way reflects on the integrity and dedication of any of the other law enforcement officers who serve and protect us daily."
Sheriff Hammond had said at the time of the suspension, "Upon receiving information from East Ridge Police Department, the Criminal Investigative and Internal Affairs divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into an allegation of alleged misconduct involving School Resource Officer Deputy Jeff Baker.
"Deputy Baker has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the conclusion of both the Criminal and Internal Affairs investigation."
Second Tennessee Deputy Charged with a sex crime today!
Former Campbell Co. Tennessee deputy arrested on 16 sex charges
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421717/posts
Deputy Baker has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the conclusion of both the Criminal and Internal Affairs investigation.” dam ...crime does pay!!!!...geez~~~~
My niece used to live at that apt. complex, thank goodness she’s an adult and not a minor.
So many sickos in this world.
If crime didn’t pay, there wouldn’t be nearly as much happening.
Besides, they have to practice for holding public office somehow.
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