Investigation by Washington County detectives leads to arrest of Fruitland man on sex charges

By: 
Steve Lyon

An investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of a former Fruitland full-time and reserve police officer on a number of alleged sexual offenses involving juveniles.
 WCSO Detective Sgt. Aaron Walker said he and detective Jordan Doggett began their investigation in June at the request of Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff. It is common practice for law enforcement agencies to request another agency investigate allegations against an officer to prevent any potential conflict of interest.
 The evidence they gathered through forensic interviews with the minor victims and other detective work led to a warrant issued on Aug. 30 for the arrest of Alexander Scott Plaza on suspicion of numerous felonies.
 Walker said Plaza was either arrested or turned himself in to Payette County authorities on Friday. He was transferred to the Washington County Jail. Following his initial court arraignment, his bond was set at $500,000.
 A six-page criminal indictment charged Plaza with eight felonies, including seven counts of sexual battery of a minor child 16 or 17 years of age and one count of sexual abuse of a minor child under age 16. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 17 in Payette County. The Canyon County prosecutor’s office is prosecuting the case for Payette County.
 Walker said the alleged activities took place in Fruitland and Payette starting in October of 2017 through June of 2019. There were a total of five victims, all under the age of 18, who were contacted by Plaza through various social media accounts. There could be additional victims and detectives urge them to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
 Plaza worked as a full-time and reserve police officer for the Fruitland Police Department from April 2015 to June 2019. He resigned from the department in June and was no longer with the department when the investigation began, officials said.
 With assistance from the other detective, Walker said the investigation went well. The forensic interviews with victims took the most time.

Category:

Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

Connect with Us