Seminole County deputy charged with soliciting minor
David Rodriguez, 28, arrested in Indian River County
A Seminole County deputy accused of soliciting a 17-year-old girl for sex was arrested on a warrant in Indian River County on Thursday.
David Rodriguez, 28, was charged with lewd computer solicitation of a child, according to investigators.
Deputies say they received a tip from the father of a 17-year-old girl that Rodriguez had solicited the girl for sex via Facebook in June.
The father looked at his daughter's Facebook account and saw conversations between the two about meeting up for sex, the arrest affidavit said.
Rodriguez knew the girl since she was 6 years old through martial arts tournaments that they both attended, according to the arrest warrant.
Rodriguez' family owns Kumite Karate in Longwood. The sign on the business said it was open Friday, but a note said it was closed for personal reasons.
Deputies said Rodriguez admitted that he contacted the girl for sex but was waiting until she was 18.
"I wish you could send me pics. but not till ur 18," one Facebook message said.
The arrest report said the teenager had a crush on Rodriguez but wanted to "stop the sexual conversations with Rodriguez after his baby was born but she did not know how to."
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Rodriguez was booked on $50,000 bond.
He has been a patrol deputy since 2010 and received a lifesaving award in May.
The process to terminate him from the Sheriff's Office has been initiated.