Fremont police officer resigns, was being investigated for allegedly messaging minor

A Fremont police officer resigned last month after being placed on leave and investigated for possible criminal activity involving a minor, Police Chief Derek Wensinger said in a news release issued Monday afternoon.

Wensinger said he was notified about 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 of an alleged situation that involved the officer messaging a 17-year-old juvenile.

The News-Messenger is not identifying the officer, who has not been criminally charged.

Sgt. Dustin Nowak and Wensinger conducted "a brief internal investigation" at the request of Fremont Safety Service Director Ken Frost, according to Monday's news release.

"When I determined that it could be a criminal matter, I requested Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct a full investigation," Wensinger said in the release.

The officer was interviewed by BCI that evening and placed on administrative leave, then resigned Feb. 24 before the internal investigation was completed, according to the release.

"Ohio BCI is actively investigating the situation that I consider a criminal matter at this time," Wensinger stated. "The Fremont Police Department will release additional information when that investigation is complete."

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Fremont police officer resigns, was being investigated