PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A veteran Palm Beach Sheriff's sergeant is facing sex charges after allegedly using his department-issued video camera to record a teenage girl.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Sgt. Mario Pradere was arrested Thursday on allegations of lewd conduct and video voyeurism.
According to Pradere's arrest report, a teenage girl alleged that the 50-year-old police sergeant massaged her feet while touching himself. The girl also alleged that he hid a department-issued video camera in her bedroom and recorded her while she undressed.
Police say Pradere later admitted to fondling the girl's feet and videotaping her. Authorities say the sergeant said his behavior resulted from a "fetish."
On Friday, Pradere's attorney said, quote, "People get arrested all the time, and they're presumed innocent. In Mr. Pradere's case, it's no different."
