Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco has publicly eviscerated a fired deputy accused of child sex abuse, calling the man a “monster” and a “POS” during an emotional press conference.
Donald Valverde, 37, was arrested and terminated Friday afternoon after a young victim came forward earlier in the week with what Nocco described as “absolutely horrendous” allegations that “churned our stomachs.” The corporal, who had served in the sheriff’s office since 2015, faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of unlawful sexual activity involving a minor, charges that carry potential life sentences.
“As a parent, you hear what this c–t did, and you just want to beat the crap out of him,” Nocco said at the press conference. “Let me tell you one thing, Valverde is a POS. There is no other way around to say it.”
The sheriff said the abuse occurred within Pasco County “over a period of time, not just immediate, a lengthy period of time,” and happened while Valverde was off-duty. The child was known to him through what Nocco termed a “custodial relationship.” The sheriff declined to provide extensive details about the victim, whom he called “extremely brave.”
Nocco revealed that Valverde had been investigated previously for possible domestic situations but said the conduct never rose to a level that would warrant termination or arrest. The corporal had worked in the patrol division for several years and only recently received his promotion.
“That’s what makes it hard as a sheriff or an administrator in a law enforcement organization, is that there’s people you know are liabilities and he had that,” Nocco said. “But the problem was the laws are in place, unfortunately, to protect him.” The sheriff added that “we could not punish him for that.”
The sheriff’s office stated it had never received prior allegations involving Valverde and children before this week. In a statement, the office said “the victim is safe and receiving the necessary resources” and that “there are no reports of additional victims at this time.”
“The bravery at that age to be able to stand up against a monster is incredible,” Nocco praised the victim. “This monster is arrested. He’s in jail right now. He can’t harm you anymore.”
Nocco expressed gratitude for what he specified as “her bravery” and issued a direct appeal for any other potential victims to come forward. The sheriff also contended that Valverde “embarrass[ed] the profession” of law enforcement.
“We don’t even recognize him anymore,” Nocco said.
The sheriff delivered a stark assessment of the appropriate punishment for his former subordinate. “The damage he did is already devastating. Life in prison is nothing for the punishment he absolutely deserves,” he slammed.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff’s office indicated no additional information would be released at this time.
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