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DCF investigator charged with sexual battery

LAKELAND, Fla. — Police said a Department of Children and Families investigator has been charged with sexual battery.

Jason Montgomery, 27, allegedly used his authority as a DCF investigators to pressure a woman into having sex with him.

"Anytime something like this happens if it's a DCF worker, a law enforcement officer, a minister, it's a betrayal of trust," Sgt. Gary Gross with Lakeland police said.

According to police, Montgomery visited the home of a child he was assigned to on Sept. 5. While at the residence, he allegedly asked the children in the house to leave and told their mother she "needed" to have sex with him or her kids would be taken away.

Investigators say the woman resisted but felt helpless due to Montgomery's position with DCF.

"Our victim called us on August the 31st and stated she had been sexual battered back in December of 2012 so that's what started our investigation," Gross said.

Police said Montgomery sexually battered her on that and another occasion several weeks later.

Lakeland police interviewed Montgomery and said he denied having any sexual or personal interaction with the victim. According to investigators, DNA evidence found at the victim's residence matched Montgomery's DNA profile.

Montgomery is no longer employed with DCF.