(AP) — A Mississippi police officer accused of soliciting a 16-year-old girl for sex was identified by the victim’s attorney Tuesday and later ordered to stay away from the accuser and her family, officials said
A Jackson police officer was arrested Saturday and charged with exploitation of a minor, news outlets reported.
On Monday, the Jackson Police Department said a patrolman was arrested and later placed on administrative leave. The department hasn’t identified the officer nor has it released details regarding the case. A mugshot of the officer wasn’t released.
A May 9 affidavit accused the officer of coercing the teen and giving her a cellphone so she could later meet with him to engage in “sexually explicit conduct,” The Clarion-Ledger reported.
The victim’s attorney, Lisa Ross, identified the officer on Tuesday. She later accused the police department of giving the officer special treatment because he was released from jail Saturday on an unsecured $50,000 bond, news outlets reported.
Police Chief James Davis responded at a separate news conference by saying the department arrested the officer once it learned of the allegations, adding that the department does not “deal with” bonds.
Municipal Court Judge William Walker issued a no-contact order Tuesday, news outlets reported. Ross also requested the officer be ordered to wear a GPS monitor.
It’s unclear whether the officer had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.