Florida deputy arrested for child sex abuse allegations

Donald Valverde, a 37-year-old corporal with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, has been arrested and fired following allegations of child sexual abuse. The charges involve an underage victim with whom Valverde had a custodial relationship.

According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, the abuse occurred off-duty over a lengthy period. Valverde faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation—one of which is a life felony—and one count of unlawful sexual activity involving a minor, which also carries a potential life sentence.

Sheriff Nocco publicly condemned Valverde, stating the corporal had “embarrassed the profession” and describing the details of the case as “absolutely horrendous.” Valverde had been employed with the sheriff’s office since 2015.