An Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested on Friday for allegedly possessing child pornography.
According to Seminole County Jail records, OCSO Corporal James Montiel has been charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Montiel, who was hired by OCSO in March of 2006, has been relieved of all law enforcement duties without pay pending a criminal investigation. Upon competition of the criminal proceedings, the sheriff’s office will conduct an administrative investigation, and the results of that investigation will be made public.
On Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina released the following statement regarding Montiel’s arrest:
“These are very serious criminal allegations, and there is no place in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for anyone who commits such heinous crimes.
“As law enforcement officers, we are held to the highest standards of conduct whether on duty or off duty, and I am committed to ensuring that those who serve the community as Orange County deputies follow the laws that they are responsible to uphold.”
Montiel is currently being held at Seminole County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18.
Earlier this week, a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputy resigned after he was accused of sexually assaulting a female victim.