The Oviedo Police Department has arrested one of their own officers.
Officer Joseph Meyer, 42, was arrested Sunday morning at his home for sexually abusing a juvenile female family member. On several occasions Meyer got in bed with the girl and touched her breast.
Reports from WESH News shows the abuse occurred before and after the girl turned 12 years old. Meyer faces six counts of molestation of a child between the ages of 12 and 16. Additionally Meyers faces one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 years old.
Meyer disclosed to a relative that he inappropriately touched another female family member, stating that he fondled and groped her breasts while in her bed.
The victim stayed at Meyer’s house every other weekend. The victim told deputies that the touching occurred on several occasions over the past 365 days, according to the affidavit. The victim also told authorities that Meyer would cuddle with her in her bed and grope her under her shirt.
Oviedo Police Chief Dale Coleman released this statement:
> “I know the public trust is easily lost and I just want people to be rest assured that the Oviedo Police department takes its mission very, very seriously and that we want people to know we don't condone this at all and that we stand by the full and complete investigation and wherever it leads, we will stand behind.”
The Oviedo Police Department placed Meyer on administrative leave without pay pending the results of the criminal investigation.
Meyer was hired by the Oviedo Police Department in September 2003, where he served in the community patrol division.
His disciplinary record reveals that he received a written censure for using a Taser on someone who was driving a motorcycle in November 2014. Meyer also received a 12-hour suspension without pay for horseplay with his Taser, where he shocked a fellow officer.
He is being held without bail at the Seminole County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 25.
