David Cerda An investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Kleberg County Sheriff ’s Office led to the arrest of a Kingsville police officer Thursday evening on charges of indecency with a child.

Lt. David Mendoza, an investigator with the Kleberg County Sheriff ’s Office, announced the arrest Friday morning in a press release.

According to the release, a warrant was issued Thursday for the arrest of David Cerda, 40, on the charge of indecency with a child by sexual contact.

The investigation reportedly began when an outcry of inappropriate touching was made by a female child to a teacher at Ricardo Elementary School.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was notified of the allegations, and an investigation was conducted by the sheriff ’s office and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers. A probable cause affidavit was later reviewed and approved by the Kleberg County District Attorney’s Office, which led to the arrest warrant.

Kingsville Police Chief Ricardo Torres was notified of the investigation late Thursday afternoon.

“We hold our officers to a higher standard as a community, and those who break that sacred trust have to suffer the consequences,” Torres said Friday in a press release. “The Kingsville Police Department will cooperate fully with the Texas Rangers to ensure that justice is served.”

Cerda submitted his resignation to Torres, effective immediately, Thursday evening. He was arrested at the Kingsville Police Department, Torres said.

Cerda was a six-year veteran of the Kingsville Police Department and served as a tactical officer with the department.

The charge of indecency with a child by sexual conduct is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Cerda remained in the Kleberg County Jail Friday afternoon on $100,000 bond.