A Sheriff‘s Office Deputy in Walton County, Florida has been arrested for allegedly engaging in inappropriate conduct with a 14–year–old student, resulting in their termination.
The Walton County Sheriff‘s Office removed Artie Rodriguez, 52, from his position as a School Resource Deputy at Walton Academy on January 31, 2023, after a victim filed a report and launched an investigation.
Rodriguez is charged with engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student, distributing harmful material to a minor on school property, using a two–way communication device to commit a felony, battery and providing nicotine to a minor.
Rodriguez was investigated for allegedly attempting to engage in a sexual relationship with a student between December 9, 2022, and January 26, 2023, showing the student explicit photos, inappropriately touching them and giving them a vape pen.