Maricopa County Detention Officer Chad Swiman has been arrested and charged with child molestation.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, an individual reported his now-adult son had just disclosed he had been molested as a juvenile by Swiman, a family friend.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) interviewed the victim who reported the abuse occurred multiple times beginning in 2009 and continued until 2013.
On January 11, 2021, Swiman was taken in to custody on 3 counts of molestation of a child, in violation of ARS Section 13-1410, a class 2 felony and 3 counts of sexual conduct with a minor in violation of ARS Section 13-1405, a class 6 felony. Swiman was placed on Administrative Leave from MCSO pending an internal investigation.
Swiman had an initial appearance before the court and a bond was set for $150,000.
“I cannot express enough how disturbing this is for me and our entire organization,” said Sheriff Penzone. “Every one of us at MCSO is bound with responsibility to protect and serve our community, especially those who are most vulnerable. This is another example that we will not overlook any misconduct regardless of the time frame of the occurrence. The behavior of the men and women of MCSO must show the highest moral standards and I expect all of us to be held accountable for our actions.”