North Platte police investigator John Deal was federally indicted Friday, Aug. 28 for receiving child pornography as well as possession of child porn, following a lengthy investigation.
The charges were handed down in the U.S. District Court for Nebraska, and Deal was arrested Monday, Aug. 31. He remains in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
Deal has not worked in North Platte as a police investigator since Aug. 4. He was placed on administrative leave at that time when he FBI notified the department that the FBI searched his home that day. Police were told that the search was part of a federal criminal investigation and did not receive the details, North Platte Police Sgt. J. Johnson said.
On Monday, Aug. 31, the police department was notified that Deal would be arrested and Deal officially resigned that day.
Johnson said police learned the nature of the federal investigation and more information about the charges on Sept. 1. Until then, the federal indictment was kept sealed by the court.
Prosecutors wanted to keep Deal incarcerated and the judge agreed, saying Deal poses a risk of non-appearance at future courts dates, and could also pose risk to the public, if he were released on bail.
The full complaint against Deal, and the arrest affidavit, are still under a court seal as of Thursday, Sept. 3.
Johnson the FBI investigation is active and ongoing, and police are cooperating fully.
“We understand this news may cause concern and raise questions within our community,” Johnson said. “We recognize the importance of maintaining the public’s trust and are committed to ensuring matters involving department personnel are handled appropriately and in accordance with the law.”
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