(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - In the interest of maintaining transparency, the Division of Alaska State Troopers (AST) released the following information regarding an Alaska State Trooper under arrest for attempted sexual abuse of a minor.

“This case and investigation have been handled in the same manner as any other, and we are informing the public of these developments today to maintain transparency,” Alaska State Troopers Director Colonel Hans Brinke said. “AST and the Department of Public Safety are committed to fulfilling our mission to protect the public, and staying accountable to the people of Alaska.”

On Thursday, April 26th, AST was notified that Trooper Vance Peronto, a 16-year veteran of AST, may have had inappropriate contact with a minor, and began investigating immediately. Investigators learned that on April 8, Trooper Peronto conducted a traffic stop of a 16-year-old female for driving without her headlights on. No citation was issued. Peronto subsequently contacted the 16-year-old female via social media, and began establishing a social relationship.

Investigators obtained consent from the 16-year-old and her family to retrieve electronic evidence pertinent to the case. On Sunday, Peronto attempted to rendezvous with the female at a hotel in Anchorage, but was instead contacted by Alaska State Troopers with the assistance of the Anchorage Police Department.

Trooper Vance Peronto was arrested and remanded to the Anchorage Correctional Complex on one count of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the 2nd Degree (a Class C Felony). He is held with no bail, pending arraignment. An arraignment was held today at 2:30PM in the Anchorage Jail Court Room. Court records at this time do not report the result of today's arraingnment. Investigation remains ongoing.

The matter remains under investigation, and the Department and Division are unable to comment on specifics of the case.

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Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.alaska.gov

 

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