By Anthony Payero
(PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla.) A previous Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested after making false claims against Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, according to WFLA.
According to the sheriff’s office, 49-year-old Kenneth Kimberlin is facing charges for making a false report to the Florida Child Abuse Hot Line multiple times over the past several weeks.
Deputies report Kimberlin was located in Tampa on Wednesday and apprehended on a warrant. He is currently in custody at the Hillsborough County Jail and will be moved to the Pinellas County Jail on Thursday.
Once in custody, Kimberline confessed that the accusations made against Gualtieri were false, detectives said.
Kimberlin stepped down from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in 2011. After resigning, he worked with the Largo Police Department for a short period but separated from employment, per WFLA.
Deputies said Kimberlin has multiple arrests on his record after stepping away from the force. He is reportedly known to battle serious addiction and mental health issues.
An early investigation revealed to the sheriff's office that Kimberlin made threats against others in Tampa Bay, some of which were similar to the allegations made against Gualtieri.
Officials are still investigating the case and more charges are pending, WFLA reports.