His former deputy who is accused of trying to have sex when he was young commits suicide

A former Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who was arrested earlier this month and accused of trying to have sex with a minor killed himself last week, according to authorities.

Anthony Russo, 52, was found dead at his home in Arrowbear Lake on Friday, the San Bernardino County Coroner’s office confirmed.

The coroner’s office did not immediately respond to questions about who found her or the nature of the suicide.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said it does not have the necessary information as the case is outside its jurisdiction.

The department “expressed its condolences to the family and friends affected by this incident.”

Russo was out on $50,000 bail after being arrested Dec. 11 at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was being held pending a criminal investigation.

He was arrested by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau after the agency received a tip, according to the sheriff’s department.

Russo is believed to have been communicating electronically with a 15-year-old boy with whom he shared sexual images and asked them to meet for sex, according to the sheriff’s department. The person he contacted in his place was an undercover detective.

Russo was booked on two charges. He was eventually charged by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office with one count of knowingly distributing a dangerous substance.

Russo was due back in court on Jan. 24.