Tampa Police Detectives arrested 32-year-old Jonathan Darling, a Tampa Police Department (TPD) officer hired in 2019, following an investigation into alleged unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Darling was immediately relieved of all duty after his arrest on June 15.
Darling was arrested on charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, use of a two-way communication device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to TPD.
The investigation began on May 15, 2026, when Tampa Police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding suspicious online financial transactions between an adult male and a possible minor. TPD identified the adult male as Darling.
On May 26, detectives confirmed the victim was a 16-year-old male. Darling was placed on administrative leave as the investigation continued.
According to TPD, evidence showed Darling and the 16-year-old met through an adult location-based social and dating app. Electronic evidence revealed ongoing monetary transactions and digital communications between Darling and the victim from December 2025 through March 2026.
The communications allegedly involved explicit photographs of the victim, discussions of sexual activity, travel arrangements and the purchase of marijuana for the minor.
"When you wear our badge, you are held to the highest standard of public trust. This individual shattered that standard and dishonored the dedicated officers who serve our community with integrity every day," Chief Lee Bercaw said in a press release. "Our priority is the safety and well-being of the victim in this case. This agency will never tolerate behavior that exploits the vulnerable or betrays the public trust."
Darling was arrested at his home without incident shortly after 2 p.m. June 15. He was transported to the Orient Road Jail.
The investigation remains active as the department completes its disciplinary process.