Law Enforcement Officer Under Investigation For Racy Text

4-29-2011 Tennessee:

LIVINGSTON, Tenn. - A Van Buren County sheriff's deputy is under investigation for allegedly sending racy text messages to a woman he arrested for DUI.

"He actually programmed his name and his number into my phone," said Melody Cummings.

At the time, Officer Brandon Walker was working for the Livingston Police Department. Cummings said Walker sent her dozens of suggestive text messages and then a graphic photograph. She took the messages to her attorney.

"When she brought the text messages I was just floored at how inappropriate the conduct was by the officer," said attorney Sean Frye. "He directly was soliciting sex for favorable treatment on a defendant's case when it came time to go to court."

Frye and Cummings brought the text evidence to District Attorney Randy York.

"There's no question it was inappropriate. There's no question about that. Once a police officer arrests someone they should not have contact with that person, particularly on a personal matter," said General York.

Livingston Police Chief Greg Etheridge confronted Walker who immediately resigned. Etheridge said Walker admitted sending the explicit message and photo.

The District Attorney dropped the DUI charges against Cummings and she decided not to file an official complaint if Walker left law enforcement.

"She wanted to be done and over with and go one with her life," said General York.

But then Cummings learned Walker took another job as a sheriff's deputy in Van Buren county.

"It burned me up. That burned me up," said Cummings.

Cummings has now filed an official complaint and General York has opened a criminal investigation.

Neither Walker nor the Van Buren county sheriff responded to NewsChannel 5's calls for comment. ..Source.. by Nick Beres