A Polk County Fire Rescue captain has resigned after he was arrested and charged with having sex with a 17-year-old cadet.
Aaron D'Alto, 31, had been with the department for 16 years. FOX 13 reported.
"We are embarrassed, we are obviously hurt, and we are disappointed," Polk County Deputy Manager Joe Halman said.
D'Alto resigned about a month ago after he was charged with two counts of traveling to meet a minor and two counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. The incident is just now coming to light.
The relationship between the two started after the cadet did her required ride-along with the captain, according to investigators.
The mentorship became more personal as the captain took her to the mall, an escape room and the movies. He is accused of having sex with the victim at various parks.
"He says he didn’t do it, however, his consensual partner, who is 17, said he did, and we have evidence to that effect," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd. "When a person does something like this, they not only embarrass themselves. They embarrass the fire department, their colleagues, and the entire industry."
D'Alto bought the Plan B pill for the teen after at least one of their encounters, court records show.
D’Alto is married with children.
