Baker County firefighter allegedly sent explicit messages and photos to 12-year-old in South Carolina

BAKER COUNTY, Florida. — A former Baker County Fire and Rescue Department firefighter was arrested Wednesday on charges of sending explicit messages and photographs to a 12-year-old girl in South Carolina, according to the Baker County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said 29-year-old Alexamuel “Alex” Vazquez Dueno was arrested in connection with an investigation into a 12-year-old girl in South Carolina who received offensive messages and photos on a social media platform from a Baker County man.

According to the sheriff's office, the messages were found by the girl's father, who turned them over to local law enforcement in Spartanburg.

When the allegations were brought to Baker County officials, they learned that the suspect who sent the inappropriate message was a Baker County firefighter.

Deputies said Vazquez Dueno was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the BCSO's criminal investigation.

After officers collected additional evidence and questioned Vazquez Dueno, they arrested him on charges of transmitting harmful material to a minor and unauthorized use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a crime.

The Baker County Fire and Rescue Department has since fired Vazquez Dueno.