Deputy accused of driving across state to meet juvenile male

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (AP) – A Tampa Bay area deputy has been fired after authorities say he traveled to South Florida to meet a teenage boy.

Matthew Aaron Bondi was formally charged in federal court Wednesday with luring or enticing a minor into sexual activity. The 22-year-old was arrested Tuesday evening after Davie police say Bondi drove to the area to have sex with someone he thought was a 15-year-old boy.

A criminal complaint says Bondi began exchanging graphic messages with an actual teenager in early June, but a detective took over the boy’s phone in July and continued the conversations.

Bondi joined the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in January and was still in his probationary period when officials decided to fire him.

Bondi was being held in the Broward County Jail without bond. Jail records didn’t list an attorney.