Trooper arrested, accused of sexual battery, investigators say

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — New information was released Monday about a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol who is accused of sexual battery on a teen.

Chad Robert Corriveau, 32, was arrested Friday by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Investigators said Corriveau touched and sexually battered the teen between Nov. 25, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2017.

"This all started when one of our deputies had received information that this victim had disclosed sexual abuse by Corriveau," said John Herrell with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The victim told investigators during Thanksgiving break, Corriveau showed the teen child pornography that was on his phone.

Corriveau later complained to the teen during her Christmas break about his lack of sexual relations with another person and he began asking the teen victim about her sexual experiences, investigators said.

Corriveau began sexually assaulting the teen and told the victim not to tell anyone, investigators said.

The victim told investigators that she was scared to tell Corriveau to stop because he is short-tempered and was afraid for her safety.

"The detectives are confident that this victim is telling the truth. That's why they made application to the state attorney's office for the warrant. They were able to obtain a warrant for his arrest," Herrell said. "Law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard. So it's always disheartening when we see someone in this line of work, fall below those standards," Herrell said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that a Deputy Seth Luppino has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation. Investigators believe based on information received that Luppino may have known about the abuse and failed to immediately report it as required by state statute.

A victim's family member told Luppino about the alleged abuse Sept. 7, but he didn't notify his supervisor until Sept. 20.

The Florida Highway Patrol  released a statement Sunday about Corriveau's arrest.

"The Florida Highway Patrol takes these matters very seriously and has placed the trooper on administrative leave pending the criminal investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, a thorough administrative investigation is being conducted simultaneously regarding the allegations and the actions of the Trooper, and appropriate disciplinary action will be immediately taken based on the outcome of the investigation."

The trooper and deputy are both on paid leave pending the investigation.

Eyewitness News learned late Monday that a Groveland police officer, who is the trooper's wife, is on paid leave stemming from the allegations.

Investigators said they want to know when the wife found out about the alleged abuse.

Cox Media Group