Authorities in Arizona say a detention officer has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the sexual assault of a teen boy over a period of months last year.

According to AZ Central, 48-year-old Robert Bruce Hunter had been employed by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office when he allegedly reached out online to a 15-year-old boy for sex.

He had been employed by the agency for nearly a decade, according to reports.

The sheriff’s office released a statement acknowledging the allegations, adding that it takes them “extremely seriously” and will be “working with the Mesa Police Department as well as conducting our own internal affairs investigation.”

According to the alleged victim, the two met in August and had sex, going on to have four more encounters ending in November.

Local law enforcement became involved after receiving a report that an adult male had been contacting a juvenile to arrange a meeting for sex.

An investigation led to the identification of the suspect and the teen, with whom they spoke about the allegations prior to engaging with Hunter.

Officers responded to the suspect’s home in Mesa with a search warrant in hand. Court records indicate they found evidence matching the alleged victim’s story.

Upon interviewing Hunter, investigators say he acknowledged using the same dating app to meet men. He did not, however, respond to their inquiries regarding the alleged underage victim.

As of the latest reports available, he had been booked into jail and is expected to face 20 criminal counts of sex with a minor.

[Featured image: Robert Bruce Hunter, Mesa Police Department]