A former Fairfax County police officer alleged to have had inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage girl in the department’s public safety cadet academy has been indicted, authorities announced Tuesday.

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       John Grimes was charged with three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in a custodial relationship in the alleged 2019 sexual contact, authorities said. He was indicted by a Fairfax County grand jury Monday and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

       Fairfax County police said they were unaware of the alleged contact before Grimes failed a lie-detector test while applying for a job at the FBI as a special agent. The agency contacted Fairfax County police, and an investigation ensued.

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       The investigation found the alleged misconduct occurred between November and December 2019, police said. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference Tuesday that Grimes was suspended in December 2019 after the alleged conduct came to light and that the officer resigned in May 2020.

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       Davis said Grimes allegedly began the sexual contact with the teen while taking her on ride-alongs in his cruiser.

       Davis said the department has suspended ride-alongs for police cadets in the wake of the revelations and made other changes to the program.

       About 90 young people between ages 14 and 21 take part in the public safety cadet program, which is aimed at teaching leadership and ethics and helps the department recruit new officers. Davis said 15 current Fairfax County police officers are graduates of the program.

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       “How ironic that this program is intended to do one thing and in fact she is victimized,” Davis said. He added later, “It’s a shame what Grimes did, because it brings a negative attention to a great local and regional program.”

       Davis said investigators are exploring whether there might be other victims in the case and are speaking with parents in the cadets program.

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       Grimes had been an officer with the Fairfax County police for more than three years.

       Grimes did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His case was not yet listed in court records, so it was unclear whether he has an attorney.

       Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve T. Descano said at Tuesday’s news conference that he was dismayed by the alleged crimes.

       “Making it even more painful is .？.？. when these crimes are committed by individuals who are in a position of trust and authority,” Descano said, “people that have sworn to protect these individuals.”