A
South Carolina police officer has been released from custody while awaiting
trial on charges that he sent explicit photos of himself to a 13-year-old Iowa
girl.
U.S.
Magistrate Judge Ross Walters in Des Moines approved the release of 30-year-old
Andrew Haney under several conditions Friday, which include having no contact
with the alleged victim.
Authorities
say Haney was a West Columbia police officer when he met the girl through a
social media website last month. They say they identified Haney after he sent
the girl a photo with his police badge with the state seal visible in the
photo. He's charged with transferring obscene materials to a minor.
West
Columbia's police chief has said Haney has been fired.
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public defender representing Haney didn't immediately return a message.