SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A South Bend Police officer was arrested early Saturday morning.
According to a South Bend Police Department Facebook post, Rico Butler was booked into the St. Joseph County Jail just after midnight. SBPD reported that Butler was connected to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Butler with two counts of child seduction. SBPD reported that, after the county clerk’s office formally accepts filings on Monday morning, the prosecutor’s office will release copies of the charges and an affidavit.
SBPD has relieved Butler of his duties, pending further criminal investigation. South Bend police have also launched an internal investigation following Butler’s arrest.
Butler had been with SBPD since December 2022, per a release. SBPD reported that it will continue to work with the prosecutor’s office and a special victims unit on its investigation of Butler.
