According to a press release from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO), members of the SJSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) arrested a SJSO deputy sheriff last week, following an investigation into lewd and lascivious behavior that allegedly occurred several years ago.
The deputy in question is Jeffrey Lewis Cook, 51, of St. Augustine.
Per the release, Sheriff David Shoar was notified late Thursday, Jan. 10, of a victim, concerning a series of events where the suspect had inappropriately touched her over the course of six years while she was a juvenile. According to SJSO, the last contact occurred nearly 10 years ago. Shoar summoned detectives with the Special Victims Unit to investigate the allegations.
SJSO said investigators met with the victim and conducted an interview, which continued into Friday morning. Detectives contacted the deputy, identified as Cook, and advised him of the criminal complaint against him. An interview was subsequently conducted with Cook at the SJSO office, which led to his arrest. Shoar terminated Cook’s employment as SVU detectives were placing him under arrest. Cook was a 17-year employee of SJSO.
“Anyone who has heard me speak on these types of crimes knows that I value our children, as well as seniors, as our highest priority for protection,” Shoar said in the press release. “I am both angry and saddened by these events, and while this incident involves one individual, it is not reflective of our agency or this honorable profession. As we have in the past, we will continue to police ourselves and hold our people accountable to ensure we maintain the highest standards of our profession.”
Currently, Cook is charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation. SVU detectives are continuing their investigation into the allegations against Cook. Although there are no indications of any other victims, anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. George Harrigan at (904) 209-2443.
