Shelby County sheriff’s deputies served Dembski with two arrest warrants at approximately 6:28 p.m., Gessler said.
Both charges are felonies, and stem from an investigation that began a week ago after Sidney police received a complaint that a 13-year-old female was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an adult, Gessler said.
The adult was reported to be a staff member of the Sidney City Schools.
Gessler said the investigation indicated that Dembski, on or about Oct. 1 through Oct. 23, allegedly had meetings to engage in an unlawful physical relationship.
During one of the meetings it is alleged that a second female juvenile witnessed the activity and photographed the encounter.
During that encounter, Gessler said, Dembski is accused of making a threatening statement and gesture to the photographer.
The female who photographed the encounter also is 13, Gessler said, and is an acquaintance of the first girl.
Dembski retired from the Sidney force after serving at least 20 years, Gessler said, and had attained the rank of sergeant when he left the force.
One of his duties while a Sidney police officer was that of a DARE officer for the city schools, Gessler said.
DARE is the acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the highly acclaimed national program that gives school children skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.
Dembski is on leave from the school system, Gessler said.
“These circumstances, while unpleasant to the Sidney Police Department and the law enforcement profession, are not only unacceptable, but will not be tolerated,” Gessler said.
“Our focus in this situation is consistent with our mission and that is to work on behalf of the victim and hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
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