An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested Thursday after he was accused of having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl for about three years.
William Arnold Jr., 49, is a K-9 deputy and has served for about 13 years, according to the sheriff’s office.
The girl told deputies that she and Arnold have been in a sexual relationship since she was 14 in eighth grade, according to a sheriff’s office arrest report.
She spent time at his home over summer vacations. He made her feel that if they did not have sex she would not be allowed inside, the report said. There have been about 10 incidents during their relationship, most recently in January.
In January, Arnold told her he wanted to kill himself, the report said. He asked to meet at a church in Alachua because he did not want his neighbors to see her car. They went to his house and had sex.
She recently emailed Arnold saying she didn’t want to be in contact with him, the report said.
Arnold told deputies he knew her for about three years and considered her a family friend but denied sexual activity, the report said. He said they would “horseplay” and sometimes get into arguments.
Arnold was placed on administrative suspension, the sheriff’s office said.
He was charged with lewd and lascivious battery and sexual assault, the report said.
Arnold remained in the Alachua County Jail Thursday and will receive bail today.
William Arnold Jr., via the Alachua County Sheriff's Office's Facebook. A mugshot is unavailable.
