VIRGINIA BEACH, Va — A Virginia Beach police officer has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing a minor at his home during sleepovers, according to court documents obtained by WTKR News 3.
Anthony Paul, 40, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of felony custodial indecent liberties, a VBPD spokesperson confirmed to WTKR News 3.
Paul, who has been with the department for about four years, is accused of charges that "resulted from his interaction with the victim several years ago," before his time with VBPD.
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According to an arrest warrant, the charges stem from incidents that allegedly happened in March of 2019 through August of 2019.
The allegations came to light on April 11 when a man told a VBPD sergeant that when he was 16 years old, Paul touched him underneath his clothing more than one time during sleepovers, a criminal complaint says. He said this happened while he was at Paul’s Virginia Beach home under his supervision.
The complaint goes on to say that on April 16, the sergeant interviewed Paul, who denied the allegations. However, he said a sexual act between him and the minor happened at his home, but he did not go into detail. He was arrested days later after turning himself in, court documents say.
Paul is on administrative duty and remains employed, though his "police powers" have been stripped while the investigation unfolds, VBPD said.
During a bond hearing on Wednesday, the Commonwealth's Attorney said the accusations involve two brothers who were underage at the time and that Paul was their martial arts instructor and had groomed them.
The defense attorney argued that Paul turned himself in, has family in the area, is a Navy veteran, and is concerned for his safety as a police officer in jail. The judge ruled he was eligible for bond; however, the Commonwealth's Attorney said they would appeal it within a few days, so the judge decided Paul would stay in custody until the next hearing scheduled for Monday morning.
