Police department employee arrested

    A communications officer with the Lamesa Police Department has been arrested on a third-degree felony charge alleging possession of child pornography, according to a press release issued Friday by Police Chief Josh Peterson.
    Joel Maldonado, Jr., age 21, was arrested Tuesday at the police department, Peterson said.
    Maldonado was transported immediately to the Dawson County Jail and has since been released on bond, according to Peterson.
    An employee of the police department since December of last year, Maldonado has been terminated from his position, Peterson told the Lamesa Press-Reporter.
    The alleged criminal activity was discovered while Lamesa police detectives were working with a task force. 
    “Police Department Detectives moved swiftly to act upon the information which ultimately led to Maldonado’s arrest,” states the press release.
    Peterson said Maldonado was taken into custody within 24 hours after the police department received the initial information.
    “The entirety of the case is still under investigation with the assistance with Homeland Security Investigations at this time,” states the press release.
    With the investigation continuing, Peterson said Friday he could not provide any further information at this time. 
    “This is a shock to all of us and a violation of trust,” Peterson said in the press release.  “Rest assured this type of behavior toward our children will not be tolerated.”