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Department: Tarpon Springs Officer Had Sex With Teen, Fired

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TBO.com

Published: December 17, 2008

Updated: 12/17/2008 04:18 pm

John Spatz

TARPON SPRINGS - A police officer was fired today after an investigation found he had sex with a teenage girl he met through a department program, according to police documents released this afternoon.

John Spatz, 33, had been with the Tarpon Springs Police Department for six years.

On Oct. 27, Spatz's wife filed a complaint against him with the department, saying her husband might have had inappropriate contact with an 18-year-old woman, the documents state. The teen had expressed interest in a law enforcement career and participated in a ride-along program with Spatz.

An internal affairs investigation found the two met twice in a city park and had sex at least once, the documents state. Spatz also talked to the teen on his department cell phone while on duty.

"Your relationship with this student ride-along was an abuse of your position and casts an unfavorable and embarrassing light on the Department," Acting Police Chief Robert Kochen wrote in a letter informing Spatz of his termination.

Spatz was stripped of his corporal rank after his wife filed her complaint, Lt. Barbara Templeton said.

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