A deputy with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office has been formally charged with sexual exploitation of a child after being arrested earlier this month on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Jason Sutter, 32, was arrested April 9 after turning himself in and is suspected of having 89 photos of child pornography involving boys on his personal computer, according to an arrest affidavit.

The photos were discovered during a separate investigation.

The Marshal’s Office obtained a search warrant for the computer after interviewing someone who accessed Sutter’s laptop and discovered the photos.

Sutter, a Bayfield resident, told authorities during an interview March 20 it was adult pornography of women and men, according to the affidavit.

He denied having “kiddie porn.”

He was released from the La Plata County jail after posting his $10,000 bail. He was hired by the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 24, 2003, and worked in detentions and patrol.

Sutter is currently on suspension pending results of an internal investigation.

jdahl@durangoherald.com