Associated Press - October 23, 2009 3:14 AM ET

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (AP) - A former sergeant with the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office has been charged with forcing a female inmate to have sex with him.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports that 51-year-old Tommie Joe Brock was charged Tuesday with felony sexual battery by a law enforcement officer and felony sexual misconduct between a detention facility employee and an inmate.

FDLE began investigating in July after Sheriff Paul May fired Brock and reported that the 23-year veteran was having a sexual relationship with an unwilling female inmate.

Court records show that Brock's DNA was found on the woman's clothing.

Brock was released from jail on $100,000 bail.

Information from: The Stuart News, http://www.tcpalm.com

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