Riverside County sheriff's deputy arrested for alleged attempt to meet with teenager for sex

A Riverside County sheriff's deputy was arrested on allegations that he attempted to meet up with a teenager for sex, according to the department. 

Investigators with the Special Investigations Bureau received a tip earlier this week for "possible crimes" committed by Deputy Anthony Russo, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. Russo, 52, is assigned to the Coordinated Custody Management Unit within the Corrections Division, the department noted. 

The tip, which was received on Tuesday, noted that Russo allegedly shared explicit material and "communicated his intent to meet with the supposed minor" for the purpose of sexual activity. However, it was actually an undercover detective who was posing as a 15-year-old, deputies said. 

 He was arrested on Wednesday near Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. and booked in Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. He was released later that day. 

"Anthony Russo resigned from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office following his arrest," the statement said. 

No further information was provided, but Russo is scheduled for court on Jan. 24.