Sexual Battery complaint

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PNJ article

Two Escambia County deputies have been charged with sexual assault against a minor, and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office is still seeking two more suspects.

Senior Deputy Mark Gene Smith was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault and misdemeanor battery. Deputy Walter Michael Thomas was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault.

Both are being held without bond and have been placed on administrative leave as an investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the State Attorney's Office.

The investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at this time, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's office declined to make Sheriff David Morgan available for comment on Friday. Morgan plans to hold a media conference on Monday to address the investigation..

Smith has been with the ECSO since 2005, while Thomas was hired in 2009.


Along with the arrest of the two deputies, investigators are also looking for Douglas Albert Manning, 47, and Leah Giannotti Manning, 40. The Mannings have outstanding warrants for sexual battery and child neglect. They were last seen in the area of 2000 Berg Street and are known to drive a 2013 Red Chevrolet Camaro bearing Florida tag number M59 6YZ.

Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is asked to call 911, (850) 436-9620, or Crimestoppers at 850-433-STOP.

[Unregistered]

This is just too sad.

[Unregistered]

What is sad is that the Sheriff refuses to talk with the media about this until Monday. Sounds to me like he has something to hide.

[Unregistered]

It's comforting to know that time sheet fraud, stealing from the explorers and theft of county property are all still accepted practices under Morgan. "Its all about who you know", proven time and again. Morgan will address the media on Monday to wait and see if this was just a figment of our imagination or another optical illusion by the media.

[Unregistered]

You are an idiot. Why don't you get a life loser!

It's comforting to know that time sheet fraud, stealing from the explorers and theft of county property are all still accepted practices under Morgan. "Its all about who you know", proven time and again. Morgan will address the media on Monday to wait and see if this was just a figment of our imagination or another optical illusion by the media.

[Unregistered]

Why don't you go **** yourself. The truth hurts.

[Unregistered]

The sheriff has been sick and he has been for a few days. Don't be stupid, he is addressing the media when they have time to prepare a statement, as would any professional

[Unregistered]

So he's at work on Thursday and is sick on Friday. Funny he didn't look or act sick. Another member of the internet response team telling their lies, same as usual.

[Unregistered]

The sheriff has been sick and he has been for a few days. Don't be stupid, he is addressing the media when they have time to prepare a statement, as would any professional

Now that is funny. "As would any professional." He has known about this for over a week and you want us to believe he had no idea the arrests were coming today so he couldn't make a statement? He didn't know the jail was going to explode, but he was sure quick to make a statement and grab the limelight with all sorts of accusations. Give me a break. He is only interested in limiting any damage to his ego. He is a failure and he is no professional. Almost forgot. Thanks for your input Anita.

[Unregistered]

Please let's not rush to judgement! Deputy Smith was awarded Deputy of the Quarter last year, granted it was during the same time he was banging a 16 year old but nevertheless his business was handled. I hope all the FTO trainees Deputy Thomas trained were instructed on camera angles and the art of fluffing. They always say the girl was mature for her age, I present the case that the Deputies were mental infants for their age. The Badge will get you tail, a the tail will get your Badge. Sick, a child for budda's sake....a child! Maybe SVU will be making address verifications soon. A child.