SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A San Diego County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes involving minors.
Chula Vista police said they received anonymous tips via Crime Stoppers on April 9, 2020, “regarding an unidentified adult male suspect, who engaged in sex acts with an underage victim. Investigators were able to identify the suspect and also determine that there were two additional underage victims.”
During the probe, investigators identified the suspect, 27-year-old Jaylen Fleer, as a correctional deputy with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
According to CVPD officials, Fleer surrendered to investigators on Wednesday, July 22. After being processed at CVPD headquarters, he was transported to the sheriff’s Vista Jail.
Jail records obtained by ABC 10News show Fleer was booked on 15 charges, including oral copulation with a person under 16, luring a minor for a sex offense, and sending harmful material to seduce a minor.
Chula Vista police noted that the sheriff’s department “cooperated and assisted with the investigation.”
In a statement, the San Diego Sheriff Department said that Fleer was placed on administrative assignment when the department was made aware of the possible incident and that because of the seriousness of the allegations, his authority as a peace officer was taken away.
SDSO added that since being placed on administrative assignment, Fleer has had no contact with the public. The department's statement continued:
"From the beginning, the Sheriff's Department has fully cooperated with the Chula Vista Police Department. After a briefing on the status of the investigation late Wednesday afternoon (July 22nd), the Sheriff's Department began to move forward with its own internal affairs investigation.
Personnel records of peace officers are confidential under Penal Code 832.7 and as such, the Sheriff's Department cannot comment on internal affair investigations relating to peace officers.
Questions about the criminal investigation should be directed to the Chula Vista Police Department or the District Attorney's Office.
The Sheriff's Department takes allegations of illegal activity by its employees very seriously. We hold all our deputies to the highest standards and will hold deputies who violate the law accountable."
SDSO says Fleer began working with the department in June 2015 and his last assignment was at the San Diego Central Jail.
Anyone with additional information on the case is urged to contact Chula Vista police at 619-691-5151 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
