By Cindy Swirko
A Bradford County Sheriff’s
Office jail detention officer was arrested Friday night on allegations he
sexually battered a child.
Charged with capital sexual
battery was Robert V. Melton, 59, of Starke, reported sheriff’s Capt. Brad
Smith. Smith added that additional charges are possible.
Melton resigned after being
interviewed during the investigation, which is being done by the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office.
“The initial information came
through the (Florida) Department of Children and Families, and they transferred
it to FDLE,” Smith said. “They determined there was some validity to the
allegations, and that’s when they contacted Sheriff (Gordon) Smith. It involved
a child under the age of 12. There are some other possible victims that are
being interviewed.”
Brad Smith said that depending
on those interviews, additional charges may be filed against Melton.
Search warrants were obtained
for Melton’s house and for a rental storage shed in Starke.
Melton was hired in May 2007
and held the rank of corporal.
Brad Smith said Melton filed a
written resignation after a break in his interview.
“Investigators did the initial
interview with him and stepped out of the room for a period of time. During
that time he wrote it out and got the attention of an officer walking by the
door,” Brad Smith said. “He handed it to him, and then we determined it was a
resignation letter.”
Melton will be held in an
undisclosed correctional facility for security purposes.
Sheriff Smith was quoted in a
press release saying the organization should not be judged by the case.
“I am deeply disturbed by this
arrest and will continue to work closely with FDLE until this case is
complete,” the sheriff said. “The men and women of the Bradford County
Sheriff’s Office are a fine group of professionals. This organization should
not be judged on the deplorable actions of this individual. We will continue to
move forward being constantly vigilant against any wrongdoers.”
