Volusia Beach Patrol Sex Scandal

Three Volusia County Beach Patrol officers were fired based on allegations of sexual misconduct with under age girls.   Capt. Jecoa Simmons, lifeguard Christian Duarte and Beach Patrol officer Robert Paul Tameris were accused last year by the former lifeguard of having sex with her. Citing insufficient evidence, no charges were brought against the three by the State Attorney’s office for allegedly having sex with the 17-year-old, the State Attorney’s Office said.

After the initial accusations, a second teenager came forward, alleging multiple sexual encounters with Tameris who was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor.  The victim who was 16-years old told authorities she met Tameris while she was sunbathing on the beach. The two engaged in sex 20 to 25 times at the officer’s home, according to State Attorney’s Investigator Michael K. Taylor.  On at least one occasion, Tameris video-recorded sex with the girl without her knowledge, and sent a lewd photograph of the girl, Taylor said.

Investigators monitored phone calls and text messages between Tameris and the girl, including two calls they set up in which Tameris acknowledged having sex with the girl “frequently” when they first met, as well as videotaping one of the encounters, according to an arrest report.

The county is firing Simmons and Duarte on grounds of unprofessional conduct and inappropriate relationship with a minor. Simmons also was accused of tampering with or harassing a witness victim or informant and improperly using state driver’s license and criminal justice data bases.  Miranda, who is accused of lying for Duarte, is being fired on grounds of unprofessional conduct.