FL Deputy Who Sent Explicit Photo To Teen Convicted: State Attorney

SARASOTA, FL — A former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy who sent an explicit photograph to a teenager was convicted of one count of transmission of material harmful to minors, according to a news release from State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office.

Calling him a “predator in uniform,” Judge Dana Moss sentenced Scott Kelly to 22 months in prison, followed by 38 months of sex offender probation. He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, the state attorney’s office said.

The crime carried a maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment.

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Kelly sent the image to the 16-year-old girl in November 2021 after responding to a call at her home, using “his position of authority to prey on a vulnerable child,” Brodsky’s office said.

After the call, he found her on multiple social media platforms, using them to send her lewd images of himself and propositioning her for sex.

“His behavior was despicable and not at all consistent with the high standards of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office,” the state attorney’s office said.

The lead prosecutor in the case, assistant state attorney Kate Metz, said, “This person had no business wearing a uniform. He violated the oath he took — the oath to protect and serve the citizens of our community. Instead, he chose to use his position of authority to prey on a vulnerable child, one still coping with the loss of her father. Instead of helping this child through a tough time, he exploited her vulnerability by sending her lewd photos and attempting to persuade her to engage in sexual activity with him.”

She praised the sheriff’s office for the actions the agency took after learning about Kelly’s behavior. SCSO removed him from patrol and, ultimately, fired him.

“Sergeant Mariah Piper conducted a thorough investigation to ensure the victim and her
family knew how law enforcement was supposed to respond when called for help,” Metz said. “That investigation allowed the defendant to be held accountable for his actions, and for the
victim and her family to feel that justice was served.”