Clay County deputy arrested, fired amid investigation into sexual assault of theft victim
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said Ryan Perry, 33, was arrested the evening of June 27 on a charge of armed sexual battery under the color of law in an investigation launched June 21 when the Sheriff's Office was notified of the allegation.
Cook said the alleged incident happened June 18 when Perry and another deputy — who she emphasized was not implicated — responded to the victim's Orange Park home to investigate a reported theft.
Perry is accused of following the victim upstairs to her bedroom while the second deputy remained downstairs talking to witnesses regarding the theft.
"While Perry and the victim were alone, Perry demanded that the victim expose her breasts for him, and then he inappropriately touched the victim against her will in a manner that completed the offense of sexual battery," Cook told reporters during a briefing after the June 27 arrest.
Cook said the Sheriff's Office immediately began investigating when the incident was reported on June 21.
'Through multiple interviews and further investigative efforts, detectives gathered the evidence needed to arrest Perry for armed sexual battery, and he was arrested earlier this evening,' Cook said.
Cook urged anyone who might have had a similar encounter with Perry to immediately contact the Sheriff's Office.
"We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have had a similar experience with Ryan Perry as this investigation continues," said Cook, adding that she "wants to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County. "
Cook said Perry's employment was terminated at the Sheriff's Office with his arrest. He had been a Sheriff's Office employee since October 2018.
'I want to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County who have ever been through the burdens of trauma of sexual assault. We hear you. We stand with you, and we will fight for you," Cook said.
Speaking directly to the community during the briefing, Cook said she "could not be more disappointed tonight with the news that I have to share with our community.'
"It is devastating to us as an agency and to me personally, and I assure you that we will follow through on this and justice will be served," Cook said.
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She thanked the victim, whom she described as "very brave" for coming forward.
After the incident happened, the victim told some friends and family about it and they encouraged her to report it to the Sheriff's Office. When she did, detectives launched the investigation, Cook said.
The Sheriff's Office had investigated two prior complaints against Perry during his employment with the agency. One complaint "was sustained" and the other "was unfounded," she said.
"One was somewhat similar … but was unfounded at the time," she said.
Cook said the other complaint against Perry involved "a different type of charge," and was sustained.
The complaint that was sustained involved an allegation of "inappropriate" comments, reported First Coast News, the Times-Union's news partner.
First Coast News reported that a document of the sustained complaint stated that Perry "admitted he made inappropriate comments during his conversations with (the complainant)."
The document describes Perry complimenting the complainant's appearance and telling her, "I want to **** you," according to the First Coast News report.
Cook said that "any time a deputy does wrong, it's devastating."
"It's sad. It's devastating. We work so hard to build community trust. We work so hard to build a culture here of an organization that serves and protects the community and not victimizes the community. So this is absolutely devastating," Cook said of the impact on the Sheriff's Office.
Cook also said personally, "It makes me mad."
"I'm pissed. Devastated. Let down. We're here to protect and serve our community, not victimize them. The fact that somebody who wears a badge victimized somebody in this community is devastating. It makes me mad," Cook said.
Information wasn't immediately available regarding court proceedings in the case
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County sheriff's deputy arrested on sexual assault charge, fired
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