UPDATE: Authorities have released more details regarding the arrest of Johnathan Allen, a Corrections Deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
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The investigation commenced in early September 2024 when the York County Sheriff’s Office in York, South Carolina, met with the father of a 13-year-old victim. They listened to his account of the events and received permission to examine the victim’s iPhone.
According to police, Allen engaged with the victim on Reddit under the alias “Josh.” After exchanging private messages, he requested the victim’s personal phone number.
Once they began texting, Allen’s messages turned “sexual in nature,” as reported by police. He solicited photos and videos from the minor.
Allen also spoke with the victim over the phone. During this conversation, the victim questioned Allen’s age based on his voice, which sounded distinctly adult. Police report that Allen claimed he had “already gone through puberty.”
On Wednesday, December 4, officials from the York County Sheriff’s Office, including a director and a deputy, traveled to Chattanooga to obtain an arrest warrant from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. They proceeded to search Allen’s electronic devices on Thursday, December 5.
Allen was identified as a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy currently participating in the Field Training Officer (FTO) program. He was taken into custody in South Carolina later that same day.
PREVIOUS STORY: A Corrections Deputy from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested on child pornography charges.
Johnathan Allen was placed on paid administrative leave on Wednesday following reports of a criminal investigation in South Carolina that reached the sheriff’s office.
“I am furious over the alleged actions of Allen and the disgusting nature of these charges,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.
In South Carolina, Allen faces multiple charges:
– Three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
– One count of criminal solicitation of a minor
In addition to the criminal investigation in South Carolina, an Internal Affairs investigation has been initiated by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
“The HCSO holds our personnel to the highest standards, and this type of alleged behavior will not be tolerated,” emphasized Sheriff Austin Garrett.
Allen began his career as a Corrections Deputy with HCSO in 2021 and graduated from a basic law enforcement academy just weeks before his arrest on November 1, 2024.
He will remain on paid administrative leave for 14 days before transitioning to leave without pay while a disciplinary hearing is conducted.