Lakeland, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Polk County deputies have arrested 36 year-old John Waldau for sex with an underage girl. In fact, investigators say Waldau groomed the girl online through sexually explicit communications.
Detectives began to investigate Waldau after tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding three sexually explicit images of an unknown girl being transmitted on Facebook Private Message.
Through the investigation, detectives learned that Waldau began an online relationship with the 16 year-old. Deputies say Waldau transitioned the online relationship into one that was sexually explicit. Detectives say that led to sexual intercourse with the teen at Waldau's home at least three times.
Waldau has been employed by the City of Lakeland for 18 years and works for the Public Works Department.
Photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office