Winter Haven police officer accused of having sex with teenage girl, deputies say

William Kenna arrested for one count of sexual activity with victim 16 or 17

Booking photo of William Kenna.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Winter Haven police officer accused of having sex with a teenage girl was arrested Saturday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies arrested William Kenna, 39, around 6:30 a.m. Saturday for one count of sexual activity with a victim 16 or 17 after it was alleged he had sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl.

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The Sheriff's Office said Winter Haven police were contacted around 1:30 a.m. regarding the possible relationship between Kenna and the victim.

Kenna and the victim were found together in a room alone when police arrived at the scene. The Sheriff's Office said, however, the two denied any sexual act had occurred at this time.

Winter Haven police contacted the Polk County Sheriff's Office to conduct the investigation into the allegations, deputies said.

The victim disclosed that she and Kenna had known each other for approximately one and a half years, according to the affidavit. She said she and Kenna would discuss personal problems they each were having and would turn to each other when they needed advice.

The Sheriff's Office said the victim stated that over time she and Kenna became close.

The victim said that about four months ago, she and Kenna were at his Winter Haven home and while there, they engaged in consensual sexual intercourse with each other, the Sheriff's Office said.

Kenna, who immediately resigned in lieu of termination, was hired by the Winter Haven Police Department on June 11, 2012 as a police officer. The Sheriff's Office said he obtained the reclassification of Police Officer II in July 2015.

"Our officers are expected to conduct themselves with honor and dignity and provide professional service to our citizens," Chief Charlie Bird said. "The decision Kenna made goes against everything the men and women of our agency stand for."

The Sheriff's Office said Kenna was booked into the Polk County Jail and is expected to make his first appearance at 8 a.m. Sunday.


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