BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested one of their own deputies Tuesday morning on accusations of trying to solicit a minor.
Jail records show Deputy Jemiah Thomas, 35, faces charges of using a computer to seduce/solicit a child, transmitting information harmful to minors, traveling to meet a child after luring them on a computer and attempted lewd and lascivious/written solicitation of a minor 16-17.
According to detectives, Thomas met a 17-year-old girl during a call for service in Pompano Beach in September.
Thomas provided the girl his personal cellphone number and began communicating with her, at one point, telling her that he could be her “personal sheriff that handcuffs you from time to time,” authorities said.
In mid-October, a complaint was made to BSO from the girl’s father regarding Thomas, and detectives began an investigation with the assistance of BSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Over the course of nine days, Thomas would engage in text conversations with an undercover detective who Thomas thought was the girl, BSO said.
In those conversations, Thomas indicated his desire to meet with her privately and perform sex acts on her. Thomas is also accused of sending the child a photo of his private parts, according to investigators.
On Sunday, authorities said Thomas engaged the girl in conversation about renting a hotel room to engage in sexual activity.
On Monday, Thomas arrived at a Broward County hotel and advised the girl that he was present and awaiting her arrival, deputies said.
The child, in actuality the undercover detective, cancelled the meeting with Thomas which led to his arrest, according to BSO.
“The arrest of Deputy Jemiah Thomas on these charges is deeply disturbing. One of the most important obligations that law enforcement officers have is to protect our greatest resource, our kids. If these allegations are true, Deputy Thomas broke that trust,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a press conference on Tuesday. “As soon as BSO learned of these allegations, we immediately began an investigation which resulted in Deputy Thomas’s arrest just days later. I have made a commitment to transparency and accountability in this organization, and this case shows, once again, that we will hold our employees accountable.”
Thomas was hired by BSO on May 15, 2017.
Following his arrest on Tuesday, authorities said he was placed on administrative leave without pay.
“The International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 6020 is aware of the arrest of Jemiah Thomas,” union President Matt Cowart said in a statement to Local 10 News. “We are only privy to the charges brought against him and not the details of the investigation. The alleged charges, if true, are extremely concerning and unacceptable. The facts of the investigation will come out in court where ultimately a jury of Thomas’s peers will review the evidence and make a determination of guilt or innocence. Thomas, like every citizen of the United States, is innocent until proven guilty and shall be awarded his due process through the courts.”
Thomas appeared in court Wednesday and was ordered held in lieu of a $40,000 bond. He was ordered not to have any contact with any minors other than his own children or other family members and he is not permitted to use any devices with internet.
Watch Tony’s full press conference on what led to Thomas’ arrest and how his department plans to move forward in the video below.
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