A Secret Service agent who covered Vice President Mike Pence’s security has been put on leave after being accused of engaging with a prostitute at a hotel in Maryland.
New York Daily News reports that local police arrested the unidentified agent after which his supervisors placed him on administrative leave as investigators look into the “allegations of criminal activity” he has been charged with, the agency confirmed.
According to law enforcement officials, the agent was seen leaving a hotel room in plain clothes while off duty. Because the room booked was that of an alleged sex worker, police went ahead and arrested the secret service agent.
The manager of the hotel alerted police to possible activity in one of the rooms of the establishment after his suspicions were aroused.
A source connected to the case clarified the operation was not a sting and that the man was not working in his official capacity when the arrest was made.
Upon being charged with solicitation, the secret service agent self-reported his arrest to his supervisors at his agency.
A representative for the Secret Service, in turn, acknowledged the “alleged incident” had taken place with the said off-duty agent.
In the meantime, the Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation into the matter, the representative added.
As a result of the administrative leave, the agent was obligated to hand in his official gear and weapon, and the agent’s access to Secret Service facilities and security clearance has been dropped until the facts come to light, the spokesperson stated.
“We are exploring the full range of disciplinary actions,” the Secret Service spokesperson said.
USA Today reported that Secret Service agents covering President Obama allegedly consorted with 20 prostitutes in Cartagena, Colombia where prostitution is legal.
As a result of the investigation into the scandalous affair, eight agents ended up getting fired although many officials of the agency were caught up in the snare of the investigation.
According to NBC News, This latest incident also recalls the removal of four senior officials from their posts two years ago when several high-profile security lapses were detected.
The agency was originally founded in 1865 to counter the production of counterfeit money. However, today, its mission is to protect elected officials of high ranking and their families as well to protect the financial and critical infrastructure of the nation.
Sassy Liberty