A now former Leesburg police officer is accused of exposing himself and giving alcohol to a preteen.
The Highland County Press reports that The Highland County Sheriff’s Office arrested Leesburg Police Sgt. Roy E. Stephens for indecent exposure and furnishing alcohol to a minor, both first-degree misdemeanors, in a case filed with Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera told The Highland County Press that Stephens was an officer with the Leesburg Police Department.
According to court records, the alleged violations occurred on the weekend of June 20-21, and the case was filed on July 2.
An affidavit on file at Hillsboro Municipal Court alleges the incident involves a 12-year-old girl and occurred at Stephens’ home during a Father’s Day event.
Stephens was listed as a sergeant on the Leesburg Police Department’s website as of July 8. The Leesburg Mayor, Shawn Priest would not tell the Press if Stephens was still employed by the village since his arrest.
“Since this is an open case, I really can’t comment at this time,” Priest told the newspaper.
On Wednesday, however, the village’s solicitor said that Stephens was on paid administrative leave from June 21, 2020 (drawing from sick and vacation) and on unpaid leave from July 2, 2020. He is no longer employed by the village, the solicitor told the Press.
Stephens is represented by Hillsboro attorney J.D. Wagoner.
The case is set for a pretrial on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 9 a.m.