Pasco Sheriff's Corporal Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges
Sheriff Chris Nocco's office confirmed Corporal Donald Valverde, 37, faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and unlawful sexual activity involving a minor.
The Pasco Sheriff's Office announced Friday that one of its own corporals has been arrested on child sex abuse charges. Sheriff Chris Nocco's office confirmed that Corporal Donald Valverde, 37, faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of unlawful sexual activity involving a minor.
The agency posted the announcement on September 5, 2026, through its official news channel, labeling it a "Community Alert: Deputy Arrest." Nocco held a news conference to address the arrest directly, a step the Sheriff's Office typically reserves for cases involving its own personnel.
Valverde was a serving corporal at the time of his arrest, meaning he held a supervisory role over deputies working patrol and calls for service across Pasco communities. The Sheriff's Office has not released the specific victim, the location tied to the alleged offenses, or a timeline of when the conduct is said to have occurred.
For families across Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and the rest of Pasco County, the arrest of a corporal on these charges lands hard. It follows a run of cases in the region over the past year involving former Pasco deputies charged with sex crimes against children, keeping scrutiny on how the agency screens, supervises, and disciplines its own ranks.
What we know: Corporal Donald Valverde, 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and unlawful sexual activity involving a minor. The Sheriff's Office has not disclosed the victim's identity, the location of the alleged incidents, or additional case details beyond the charges.
Nocco's office says more information will come as the case moves through the court system. Booking and court records tied to the arrest are expected to become public through the Pasco County Clerk's office in the days ahead, and this newsroom will follow the case as charging documents and any internal review from the Sheriff's Office become available.
Stay connected with Pasco County Community Website for updates on this developing story, and follow us on Facebook for breaking alerts as they happen. Join the conversation in our Community Forum to share your thoughts, and read more crime and safety stories from around Pasco County.
Header photo: Ryan Watern / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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