A Indiana police officer has been charged with child seduction after authorities say he had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl at Wayne High School. The officer also worked at the school.
Indiana State Police announced charges against Fort Wayne Police Sgt. Andrew Beck that also include possession of child pornography. Police say Beck was in California for military service and was taken into custody on September 19 at the Twentynine Palms Marine Base in California. Beck is being held in Rancho Cucamonga, pending extradition.
According to KESQ News, an investigation began in April when a Wayne High School resource officer was told of the alleged relationship. At the time, police say Beck was working there as a part-time resource officer. Police say he engaged in inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature via social media with the student. The girl said she’d been communicating with Beck through Snapchat.
Beck sent the girl nude pictures and drove by her home several times in his squad car. The girl told officers she sent Beck nude photos. She said he talked about having sex with her and said he told her he wanted to “tie her up and choke her.”
Beck was aware that the girl was only 16, according to court records. The girl said Beck had sent her “pictures of himself, including one where he was standing naked in front of a mirror.”
In a statement, Fort Wayne Police Chief Steve Reed said:
“ I am shocked and disturbed over these allegations, and I want to ensure the community that this behavior will never be tolerated within this agency. When I was notified by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office that there may be a criminal matter involving one of my employees I moved to be as forthcoming with any information that we had to assist in the matter. The Allen County Sheriff and the Indiana State Police have handled this investigation and have arrested the offender. At this point I will be requesting to move Beck to an unpaid status and will seek termination after it is adjudicated. Our department will continue its efforts make Fort Wayne a safe community and will never stop moving in a positive direction toward that goal.”
Beck is a 13-year veteran, having joined the department in 2006. His work record includes two letters of reprimand and one suspension, all for accidents in a police vehicle.
Beck was arrested by the US Marshals Service.
