Ex-deputy accused of sexual battery

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - The former deputy warden of the Harrison County jail has been arrested on a charge of sexual battery.

Bobby Joe Chandler, 64, of Gulfport, was arrested Saturday on a charge that alleges sexual involvement with a girl who is a juvenile.

Sheriff Melvin Brisolara told The Sun Herald (https://bit.ly/1d9rg9b ) Chandler was fired Monday.

Chandler was booked at the Hancock County jail and held on a $100,000 bond. The sheriff said booking Chandler at a neighboring jail is standard procedure to ensure his safety.

Chandler was promoted to deputy warden at the Harrison County jail Feb. 1, 2008.

Brisolara said Chandler served in that capacity less than a year and was named maintenance manager of buildings used by the sheriff’s office, including the jail and work center.

“He didn’t work in the enforcement part,” Brisolara said, “but … he was still considered a deputy.”

The attorney general’s office is investigating the case.

It was unclear if Chandler had an attorney.

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Information from: The Sun Herald, https://www.sunherald.com