VCU police officer arrested on two counts of child pornography

Mason Brown
Staff Writer

Sgt. James Deford of VCU Police was arrested Tuesday morning on two counts of distribution of child pornography. His case is being processed in Richmond city courts. Photo courtesy of VCU Police.

Sgt. James Deford of the VCU Police Department was arrested Tuesday morning on two felony charges of distribution of child pornography.

VCU leadership immediately suspended the officer, according to VCU Police Chief John Venuti. The arrest was a joint effort between the Richmond Police, the FBI and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Deford, 35, was a patrol cop for VCU Police since 2004. VCU Police officials are working in full cooperation with the investigation, according to a release from VCU News Center.

Though local media reported the story, students on campus did not receive an alert from the university about the arrest.

“I found out from Twitter,” said student Iman Berrached. “It pertains to me. This college should protect me and send out something … If it’s already on Twitter and on the news, then I feel kind of betrayed by the school.”

Many students feel like, at the very least, an email should have gone out to students.

“I don’t know why VCU didn’t let us know about it. They are part of the VCU community, and they should let us know,” student Eric Mensah said.

Some students like Kat McNeal believe that Deford’s arrest greatly damages the VCU police department, but does not reflect individual officers or how she feels about their safety.

“I’m glad he’s arrested, and I’m glad it’s being dealt with,” McNeal said. “I don’t think it reflects onto the VCU (police) department. These things happen. They shouldn’t happen, but they will.”

This is the second high-profile officer arrest in three years at VCU. Former VCU Police Chief Willie Fuller was arrested in an underage sex sting in 2009. The sting took place in January and had him arrested on charges of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and Deford will be processed in Richmond general courts.

VCU Police are not the only police force dealing with charges against their officers.

Earlier this week on Nov. 14, Richmond police officer Ronald Oaks was arrested by Henrico Police after being accused of taking sexual liberties with a 15-year old girl.

According to a statement issued by Henrico Police Lieutenant Eric Owens, Oaks asked the girl for nude pictures of herself and then convinced her to show him pictures of herself in various stages of undress.

Oaks was charged with indecent liberties of a person less than 18 years of age while in a custodial or supervisory relationship, which is a Class 6 felony.  Richmond Police have placed Oaks on leave with no pay.

In the state of Virginia, a conviction of a Class 6 felony is punishable with one to five years in prison or up to one year in prison with a $2,500 fine.

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