Tampa Police Officer Accused Of Sexual Activity With 16-Year-Old Boy

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa police officer was arrested at his home on Monday for a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, authorities said.

Jonathan Darling, 32, was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor, use of a two-way communications device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release.

Hired by the department in 2019, he was immediately relieved of all duty upon his arrest.

The investigation began May 15, when Tampa police detectives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Squad received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The tip involved suspicious online financial transactions between a man identified as Darling and a possible minor, police said.

On May 26, detectives confirmed the victim was a 16-year-old boy and received allegations of criminal acts by Darling, according to Tampa police. He was immediately placed on administrative leave as the investigation continued.

Darling and the teen met through an adult location-based social and dating app.

Electronic evidence showed ongoing monetary transactions and digital communications between Darling and the minor between December and March, police said.

Those communications involved explicit photographs of the victim, discussions of sexual activity, travel arrangements and the purchase of marijuana for the teen, investigators said.

Forensic evidence revealed messages between Darling and a third party about buying marijuana and arranging delivery to the victim at Darling’s residence.

“When you wear our badge, you are held to the highest standard of public trust. This individual shattered that standard and dishonored the dedicated officers who serve our community with integrity every day,” Chief Lee Bercaw said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of the victim in this case. This agency will never tolerate behavior that exploits the vulnerable or betrays the public trust.”

The case remains an active investigation pending completion of the department disciplinary process.

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