Actions

Sheriff: Polk deputy sexually battered trainee while working off-duty detail

Posted
and last updated

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff's Deputies arrested one of their own this week after they say the man sexually battered and falsely imprisoned a sheriff's trainee. 

Scott Walker, 39, allegedly stuck his hand up the trainee's pants, touching his genitals against his will as the trainee repeatedly said, "no." 

"We hold our people to a higher standard than we do the members of the community. Scott is now in jail for his illegal conduct, as he should be," Sheriff Grady Judd said. 

Walker was working off-duty as a deputy sheriff, armed with his handgun and displaying his sheriff's badge, when the assault occurred on October 3. The trainee met with Walker to get help with his training program. 

The victim says Walker helped him, then made vulgar comments towards him, which he ignored. The victim says Walker grabbed his genitals after he ignored the comments, according to an affidavit.  

Then Walker grabbed the man and pushed him against a wall, pinning him. 

The victim says Walker got up, locked the door and turned off the lights. When he came back toward the victim his pants were partly pulled down, according to an affidavit.

The victim sent text messages to a friend, saying "call me" and "help." When the friend called, the victim says Walker became concerned and let him leave. 

As he was leaving, the victim says Walker told him, "you better send me some pictures." 

Following the confrontation, the victim says Walker threatened him and told him not to tell anyone. 

When questioned by deputies, Walker changed his story multiple times, according to an affidavit. First he said he 'tapped' the victim on his genitals, on the outside of his clothes. Then, he said he 'grabbed' the victim by his genitals, still on the outside of his clothes. 

Walker told deputies his hand never went inside the victim's shorts or underwear. 

He was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. The Sheriff's Office says he is now a former deputy.