Auburn police officer arrested on suspicion of immoral communication with a minor

A 42-year-old police officer with the Auburn Police Department was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of felony immoral communication with a minor, authorities said.

Detectives with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit took the officer into custody about 6:30 a.m. Friday and booked the suspect into the Pierce County Jail.

The investigation began Wednesday when ICAC detectives were conducting “proactive online work,” according to Carly Cappetto, a deputy with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

“This particular suspect had reached out to one of the detectives, and within that time frame, there was probable cause established for his arrest,” Cappetto said. “When we get predators that essentially bite on these, that’s on them.”

Officer placed on administrative leave

The Auburn Police Department (APD) said the officer was immediately placed on administrative leave pending formal charges.

“The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values, professionalism, or integrity of the Auburn Police Department,” Auburn Police Chief Mark Caillier said in a statement. “This officer has broken that trust, and this incident will be handled as promptly as possible while ensuring due process.”

The arrest was coordinated between the sheriff’s office and APD and carried out at the police station.

“We felt that arresting him at that location would be the safest location for the public in the community — not arresting him in a vehicle, not arresting him in a home, nowhere where there would be places to either flee or barricade,” Cappetto said.

The officer has not been formally charged and is expected to be held through the weekend before appearing before a judge on Monday. Cappetto said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

“Any sort of predator-type behavior — we will find you, and we will make those arrests,” Cappetto said. “We want our children to be safe, and if we have to arrest our own, then that’s where we’re at.”

Authorities said the investigation remains active.

Read more of Aaron Granillo’s stories here.

Follow @https://twitter.com/aaronkirofm