Michael Diebold, 40, was arrested on Friday in Leechburg, Pennsylvania
A married, one-armed police chief who became a local hero after losing his arm in a fireworks accident has been arrested for trying to solicit sex from a 14-year-old girl on a messaging where he called himself ‘Kutecop4U’.
Leechburg Police Chief Michael Diebold was taken into custody on Friday in the Pennsylvania town where he is a beloved community leader.
He was arrested at a Sheetz gas station where he’d arranged to meet the girl.
Prosecutors say he contacted an undercover agent who was posing as a 14-year-old girl through the app Kik and arranged to meet up with her for sex.
He is charged with two felonies – unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse – and is being held in county jail on a bond of $500,000.
Prosecutors say Diebold, 40, sent the agent lewd photographs of himself and explicit material under the pretense that he was speaking to a teenage girl.
The agent began speaking to him by responding to an ad posted by the man.
It read: ‘Dominate male police officer seeks fun, discreet, sub playmate-m4w,’ according to the criminal complaint against Diebold.
The listing read: ‘I am a dom male that is also employed as a full time police officer. I hope that does not scare you off. I am white, straight, good looking, clean, d/d free, mentally stable and fun.
In June, Diebold became a local hero after losing his arm in a fireworks accident and marrying his high school sweetheart two weeks later
Diebold is pictured with his wife Danielle on their wedding day in June last year
‘I can also host or travel. I do have pics to share and I am very discreet.
‘I am looking for a female sub for ongoing play sessions. I do not have a set type of woman so any age, race or status may email me. I respect any and all limits and you do not need to be experienced. I hope to hear from someone soon. KIK=kutecop4you’s.’
It is not clear when the pair began speaking.
In June, Diebold lost part of his arm in a fireworks explosion in the town. Two weeks later, he married his partner in a ceremony that was well-attended and widely reported in local media.
The pair had welcomed their baby son not long beforehand.
According to local station WTAE, Diebold admitted his wrongdoing in custody and told officers his life was ‘totally over’.
He is due to appear in court for a preliminary hearing later this month.
Diebold is pictured having a prosthetic arm fitted in September. His story swept local media