Waterman faces sexual misconduct allegations
Former Sioux County Sheriff chief deputy fired last week
By Nicole Paseka, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Former Sioux County Sheriff Chief Deputy Randy Waterman faces allegations of sexual misconduct, a special agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said Monday morning.
"The allegations involve sexual misconduct on the part of Chief Deputy Randall Waterman," said Terry Klooster, special agent with Iowa DCI, which is based in Des Moines and is in charge of the investigation.
Klooster declined to describe the specifics of the allegations.
"I want to reiterate these are allegations and no charges have been filed," Klooster said.
DCI officials will meet with Sioux County Attorney Melissa O'Rourke within the next two weeks, Klooster said. He added O'Rourke has not yet seen the DCI's report. Any charges against Waterman will be determined by O'Rourke.
"The investigation is mostly complete, and we anticipate meeting with the Sioux County attorney sometime within the next couple of weeks," Klooster said.
Waterman was fired last week in the middle of a criminal investigation against him, Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena said.
Altena said he first became aware of possible misconduct on Aug. 22. The following day, Altena placed Waterman on administrative leave.
Altena then initiated an investigation through the county attorney's office, which then contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Altena also declined to give specifics of the alleged sexual misconduct, adding that Iowa DCI officials want to keep information confidential.
Officials have been tight-lipped "just to make sure the investigation, something doesn't go wrong with that," Altena said.
Waterman's paid administrative leave ended Wednesday with his termination, Altena said.
The sheriff's office soon will begin the process of hiring a new chief deputy to replace Waterman, Altena said. He said he will most likely promote from within the sheriff's office for the position but plans to wait several months to do so.
Waterman had been employed by the Sioux County Sheriff's Office since 1991 and was chosen by Altena to become chief deputy in January 2005.
Waterman was not available for comment on Monday.
The people who work at the Sioux County Sheriff's Office have found the incident "very disappointing," Altena said.
"Right now, it's a real somber mood," he said. "There's a number of people that I suppose are surprised."
"It's something that's always happened somewhere else," Altena added.
-- Journal staff writer Nicole Paseka can be reached at 712-293-4276 or nicolepaseka@siouxcityjournal.com.
"The allegations involve sexual misconduct on the part of Chief Deputy Randall Waterman," said Terry Klooster, special agent with Iowa DCI, which is based in Des Moines and is in charge of the investigation.
Klooster declined to describe the specifics of the allegations.
"I want to reiterate these are allegations and no charges have been filed," Klooster said.
DCI officials will meet with Sioux County Attorney Melissa O'Rourke within the next two weeks, Klooster said. He added O'Rourke has not yet seen the DCI's report. Any charges against Waterman will be determined by O'Rourke.
"The investigation is mostly complete, and we anticipate meeting with the Sioux County attorney sometime within the next couple of weeks," Klooster said.
Waterman was fired last week in the middle of a criminal investigation against him, Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena said.
Altena said he first became aware of possible misconduct on Aug. 22. The following day, Altena placed Waterman on administrative leave.
Altena then initiated an investigation through the county attorney's office, which then contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Altena also declined to give specifics of the alleged sexual misconduct, adding that Iowa DCI officials want to keep information confidential.
Officials have been tight-lipped "just to make sure the investigation, something doesn't go wrong with that," Altena said.
Waterman's paid administrative leave ended Wednesday with his termination, Altena said.
The sheriff's office soon will begin the process of hiring a new chief deputy to replace Waterman, Altena said. He said he will most likely promote from within the sheriff's office for the position but plans to wait several months to do so.
Waterman had been employed by the Sioux County Sheriff's Office since 1991 and was chosen by Altena to become chief deputy in January 2005.
Waterman was not available for comment on Monday.
The people who work at the Sioux County Sheriff's Office have found the incident "very disappointing," Altena said.
"Right now, it's a real somber mood," he said. "There's a number of people that I suppose are surprised."
"It's something that's always happened somewhere else," Altena added.
-- Journal staff writer Nicole Paseka can be reached at 712-293-4276 or nicolepaseka@siouxcityjournal.com.
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