Missoula Area News

Missoula deputy dismissed for 'inappropriate' relationship with teen

Posted: Jan 10, 2013 1:58 PM by MTN News
Updated: Jan 10, 2013 2:02 PM

MISSOULA - A Missoula County Sheriff's Department deputy has been let go as the result of "an inappropriate and possibly unlawful relationship with a minor," according to Sheriff Carl Ibsen.

Ibsen says the minor is 17 years old and that the relationship began about a year ago with Deputy Larry Schwindt. The sheriff's office received a complaint and a pair of "concurrent investigations were conducted, and continue," according to a news release.

An administrative probe went through the Professional Standards Division, while the second is being conducted through the Detective Division, for potential criminal violations.

Ibsen is not releasing any other information at this time saying he does not "want to compromise this ongoing investigation," adding that "we have a responsibility to protect the victim's identity."

"The public's trust is of the utmost importance to this office. Therefore, we believe we owe it to our community to inform them when a member of this department has violated that trust," Ibsen said.

Schwindt had worked for the sheriff's office for a little over two years.