Deputy Caught in Internet Sex Scandal

A former Deputy was arrested Monday in connection to an Internet sex sting involving two young girls.

Thursday, February 19th 2009, 5:48 pm

By: News 9


By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A former Deputy was arrested Monday in connection to an Internet sex sting involving two young girls.

James Sanders, 58, worked for the Sheriff's office for two years, serving as a transportation deputy, escorting prisoners from one jail to another.

He's now a prisoner in the Pinellas County jail in St. Petersburg, Florida, after he was caught in an Internet sex sting.

"Our understanding is that he was on a Web site that involves single mothers with children," said Cleveland County Undersheriff Rhett Burnett. "He made contact with a person he believed to be a single mom, who was actually a Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy."

Florida authorities asked Oklahoma City police to monitor Sanders.

"We basically provided a way to keep in contact with this person, to watch them, to provide surveillance," said Master Sgt. Gary Knight. "Basically, wait and see if this person was actually going to try and go through with this meeting, which he ultimately did."

Sanders left Oklahoma City Monday for Florida, allegedly in expectation of a sexual rendezvous with two minor females. When he reached St. Petersburg, authorities were waiting to arrest him.

Cleveland County is glad Sanders is no longer on staff.

"Sheriff Lester prides himself on the employees that he has," Burnett said. "He prides himself on having people of good moral character and professionalism and it's a huge relief to know that this person is no longer associated with our agency."

In Florida, Sanders is facing two felony counts, including seduction of a child using the Internet and travelling to meet a minor.

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