CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Clay County Deputy Ryan Perry has been accused of armed sexual battery on a woman who called the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to report a theft on June 18, Sheriff Michelle Cook said Friday.

On June 21, CCSO was notified of the allegations against Perry and began an investigation.

“Through multiple interviews and further investigative efforts, detectives gathered the evidence needed to arrest Perry for armed sexual battery, and he was arrested earlier this evening,” Cook said.

According to Cook, Perry followed the victim upstairs to her bedroom while a second deputy whose last name is Clyde, according to Perry’s arrest report, remained downstairs speaking with witnesses. While alone with the victim in the bedroom, Perry “demanded that the victim expose her breasts for him, and then he inappropriately touched the victim against her will in a manner that completed the offense of sexual battery,” the sheriff said.

“The investigation revealed the victim provided a credible disclosure that the defendant penetrated her genitals while using his authority and actions to coerce the victim while armed with a firearm during the course of his duties,” Perry’s arrest report states.

Cook is asking that anyone who had a similar experience with Perry contact the sheriff’s office.

“I want to speak directly to the citizens of Clay County who have ever been through the burdens of trauma or sexual assault,” she said. “We hear you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you. I could not be more disappointed tonight with the news that I have to share with our community.”

Cook said she was “pissed, devastated, [and] let down.” She continued: “We’re here to protect and serve our community, not victimize them. And the fact that somebody who wears a badge victimized someone in this community is devastating — it makes me mad.”

She thanked the victim for her bravery. “I know this was extremely difficult for her,” Cook said, “and she is very brave, and we appreciate her stepping up and letting us know about this.”

Perry had worked with CCSO since October 2018. The sheriff’s office investigated two other complaints against him during that time — one was sustained, and the other was determined to be unfounded, Cook said.

A document of the sustained complaint says that he “admitted he made inappropriate comments during his conversations with (the complainant).”

The document describes Perry complimenting the complainant’s appearance and telling her “I want to **** you.”