PCSO deputy indicted on charges of sex with minor

Sheriff Paul Babeu announced today he has relieved a 14-year deputy of his duties while commencing termination proceedings to fire him from the sheriff’s office. On March 3, Deputy Scott Strobel was served termination papers at the Pinal County Sheriff’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

In November of 2015, PCSO was made aware of allegations that Scott Strobel, 47, had sexual contact with a 15-year-old male in 2005. Babeu ordered a full criminal investigation into the allegations and placed Strobel on administrative reassignment.

The results of the investigation were turned over to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and ultimately a grand jury. On March 2, Strobel was indicted on four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of child luring.

“When allegations such as these are brought forward, I have a duty to investigate fully and immediately remove the employee from public duty,” Babeu said. “It is disturbing to hear these allegations, but the results of our investigation and the grand jury indictment, show that nobody is above the law and we are prepared to hold any offender accountable for their criminal acts.”

Strobel was a school resource officer and had been president of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Deputy’s Association.