Detention deputy sexually molested girl for five years, investigators say

March 18-- Mar. 18--A Broward County detention deputy is accused of sexually abusing a young girl over a five-year period.

Verol Cowans, 58, repeatedly molested the child starting when she was 7, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report. He has been suspended without pay.

"The sexual battery charges Cowans is facing are very disturbing, and I demand lawful, honorable conduct from all BSO employees," Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a statement. "Any employee found guilty of a criminal offense, especially as it relates to the nature of these allegations, will be permanently removed from service."

Deputies from Broward County and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested Cowans at work Friday. He was booked into Broward's Main Jail and transferred Sunday to the Palm Beach County Jail ,where he was booked on four counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years old.

Cowans is a resident of Port St. Lucie, court records show.

Cowans was initially hired as a Broward detention deputy in February 2005, the sheriff's office said. He retired at the end of June 2011 for personal reasons and was rehired in his position on Feb. 13, 2013.

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