Breaking Local News (Tampa Free Press)

St. Petersburg Police Department Employee Arrested On Child Exploitation Charges

Breaking Local News (Tampa Free Press)
Breaking Local News (Tampa Free Press)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A recently hired civilian employee of the St. Petersburg Police Department has been arrested on charges related to child exploitation.

Michael Cherico, 26, was taken into custody this afternoon after detectives determined he had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with individuals he believed to be minors and sent an explicit photo.

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Cherico was employed as a Property and Evidence clerk. He was a probationary employee, having only started his job five days prior to his arrest. His employment has been terminated.

Cherico faces the following charges:

  • Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
  • Transmission of harmful material to a minor
  • Luring and enticing a minor

He is currently being processed at the Pinellas County Jail.

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