A deputy from Stanislaus County, California, identified as Matthew Dessert, was arrested on Tuesday morning after being accused of sexually abusing a teenager for approximately five years. The 40-year-old deputy faces several charges including continual sexual abuse of a child, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor aged 14 or 15, penetration with a foreign object of a victim under 18, sexual battery, and physical abuse of a child. The arrest came after a school counselor reported the abuse to the authorities on Monday.
Upon receiving the report, detectives from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office went to the school to conduct an investigation. During their inquiries, they discovered that the victim was acquainted with the perpetrator and that the abuse had started when the victim was only nine years old. Detectives then requested an interview with Deputy Dessert, who willingly agreed to meet at the sheriff’s office. Following the interview, Dessert was taken into custody and subsequently booked into jail. His bail was set at $425,000.
Remarkably, just a few hours after being processed into jail, Dessert managed to secure his release by posting bail. However, this did not change his employment status, as the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office placed him on paid administrative leave and revoked his peace officer powers. The investigation into the case is still ongoing, and the school’s name is being withheld to protect the victim’s confidentiality.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward and help with the investigation. Detective J. Wall can be contacted at 209-525-7038 or through email at [email protected].