Bluffton police arrested Jeremy W. Reed, 37, an Indiana State Excise officer, March 30 on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor and dissemination of matter harmful to minors.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Wells county, Reed is accused of “sexting” with and inappropriately touching a 15 year old girl. Police began investigating the matter with Reed on March 24 after several students at Bluffton High School reported an officer was in a relationship with a student.

Police were told that the two were communicating via cell phone, including sending naked pictures back and forth. Several days after the investigation started, a teacher found the student in question crying in the hall. She admitted to the teacher she had been exchanging texts with Reed and was upset and scared that the situation had gone too far.

The girl then spoke with police, providing details of the relationship including pictures and describing an encounter in a sauna at the Wells County YMCA, according to the report. She stated she met Reed at school events and he started following her on social media before the relationship began in 2014.

Reed was arrested Monday and admitted to sending naked photos, but denied touching the girl while they were alone in the YMCA sauna.

Indiana State Excise Police Superintendent Matt Strittmatter stated Reed has been placed on administrative leave and an internal investigation has been ordered. The Bluffton Police Department and Wells county prosecutor’s office are also investigating.

Source: WANE