A West Baton Rouge sheriff deputy is being accused of propositioning prostitutes for sexual favors and using his badge as leverage, according to Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L'Jean McKneely.
Florian Deutsch, 33, of Port Allen, was arrested at a local motel in Baton Rouge and booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for malfeasance of office, prostitution and abuse of office.
After being contacted by a known "Backpage" prostitute, detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department apprehended Deutsch at a Motel 6 on Airline Highway.
Backpage, similar to Craigslist, is a website that allows users to post free classified ads and offer escort services.
The woman, who is unidentified, told authorities that Deutsch contacted her through Backpage and negotiated a prostitution deal, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The woman then told police that when Deutsch arrived at the Magnuson Hotel on Gwenadale in July, he produced a badge and said he wanted free sex, and if she declined, he would take her to jail.
The woman said she cooperated with Deutsch and had sex with him in fear of what might happen, the affidavit says.
On Thursday, Deutsch contacted the victim and thinking the same thing would happen to her again, she called police.
Detectives then met up with the woman and monitored phone calls between her and Deutsch, the affidavit says.
In a phone call, the report says, Deutsch told the woman that he wanted to have sex with her but did not have any money. The woman responded, saying she would not have sex with him for free. Deutsch then said he would pay her next week, when he would receive a paycheck, the affidavit says..
Detectives then advised the woman to agree to Deutsch's terms and have him met her at Motel 6. As he arrived and parked his vehicle at the motel's parking lot, the woman identified Deutsch as the man she had been negotiating services with.
As Deutsch came to the room, detectives were there waiting for him. Deutsch then began telling the detectives he was a deputy.
According to the arrest report, Deutsch admitted that he had contacted the woman on Backpage about having sex and producing his badge to her. However, he denied that he made the woman have sex with him.
Deutsch was hired three months ago and was fired Thursday after the sheriff's office learned of the arrest.
