A Manatee County deputy was arrested on Thursday for allegedly molesting two underage girls.



According to the report, Lt. Dale Couch, 50, a 20-year-veteran of the Manatee County Sheriff's Department was arrested Thursday and charged with three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a child.



The arrest came after an initial investigation that began in July 2012 when allegations surfaced that Lt. Couch inappropriately touched a child.



A lengthy investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the State Attorney's Office ensued and no charges were ever filed and the case was closed, deputies said.



Then in March of this year, authorities received new information and re-opened the case and the State Attorney's Office decided to go ahead and press charges.



The report said the alleged incidents occurred between October 2009 through October 2011, October 2011 through July 2012, and March 2012 through July 2012.



The victims’ mother said that one time, Couch had “his hand on the girl’s upper thigh and his thumb brushed against her (private parts).”



The victim claimed “he had only touched her on the outside of her clothes” and that “he always put his hands down there and tries to touch it, so I cross my legs.”



According to the report, one of the nearly dozen people interviewed said couch was worried these allegations would destroy his career.



In addition to the allegations, the report also concludes, “There is no physical evidence of the alleged inappropriate touching of anyone” and that “there is no history of any allegations or inappropriate behavior or touching.”



The State Attorney's Office has recommended Couch be terminated but under state law he has the right to a hearing which is set for next week.



Until then, Couch is suspended without pay.



He makes his first court appearance on Friday.



Couch's relatives did not want to comment on the matter.

