Cleburne County residents in shock over news of deputy accused of sex-related crimes involving minor

CLEBURNE COUNTY, Ark. – Residents of Cleburne County said they were shocked to hear the news over the weekend that a former county deputy was arrested as part of sting targeting sex crimes involving children.

Authorities in Faulkner County said 37-year-old Jacob Teel is facing charges of internet stalking of a child and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor, both Class B felonies.

Investigators said Teel traveled to Conway to meet up with who he thought was a 15-year-old but was actually an undercover agent.

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On Monday, people in Cleburne County told KARK 4 News they were shocked to see these kinds of allegations being made against a law enforcement officer.

“Surprise. Disbelief, really, because you don’t expect a police officer,” Cleburne County resident Jessika Deaton said. “They’re supposed to serve and protect, not hurt people, you know, kids.”

Cleburne County Sheriff Chris Brown did not provide an interview with KARK 4 News on Monday but did issue a written update that simply read, “Our community and our department are in need of a lot of prayers and healing.”

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In a statement issued when the news broke Saturday, Brown said he had spoken with other employees of the sheriff’s office that day and all of them were “shocked, saddened, angry, and disappointed” by the news of the accusations and arrests.

Teel worked for the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office at the time of his arrest. Brown said Saturday that he was immediately suspended with termination paperwork being drawn up, which has the sheriff confirmed Monday had been delivered to the now-former deputy.

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According to the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, Teel was one of nine people arrested in the sting, called Operation Room Service.

Faulkner County worked with the 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office & the United States Marshal Service on this case, with the assistance of Covenant Rescue Group, an Alabama-based organization focused on stopping human trafficking.

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