A Boulder County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested Tuesday for allegedly having sexually explicit contact with girls on the Internet.
Deputy Rick Ferguson, a 30-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, is suspected of using a computer in his patrol car to contact and communicate with the girls, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Ferguson faces one count of Internet sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of Internet luring of a child, one count of obscenity and one count of second-degree official misconduct. He turned himself in Tuesday morning. His bail was set at $100,000.
On Nov. 17, authorities learned that Ferguson used his patrol computer to communicate with the girls. A search warrant was issued for his home computer as well.
Currently the investigation has uncovered only inappropriate Internet activity, not physical or sexual contact with the girls. Investigators suspect Ferguson started contacting girls as far back as six months ago.
“It is sad and demoralizing when we have to arrest one of our own deputies. Fortunately, it is also a rare occasion,” Sheriff Joe Pelle said in a statement. “We were shocked to learn what was occurring but also quick and decisive to investigate and seek prosecution.” Ferguson has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. Jordan Steffen, The Denver Post
