SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A former Sumter County deputy was arrested on charges of grand theft of a firearm and violation of the Pawnbroker's Act.
Rappleyea resigned Tuesday morning.
William Rappleyea, 42, of Bushnell, was arrested after a woman reported a theft to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives spoke with the woman, who said she’s known Rappleyea for several years, and that as a result of their friendship, she'd loaned Rappleyea six firearms.
The woman said Rappleyea told her he needed the guns to teach his concealed weapons classes.
The woman also said she confronted Rappleyea about the firearms, and said he told her he pawned them.
Detectives said Rappleyea pawned two firearms: a Sig Sauer model 2022 and a Rock Island .45 caliber.
Rappleyea's bail was set at $6,000. He was taken to the Sumter County Detention Center without incident.
Rappleyea has been employed with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office since 2006. He was recently assigned to the Community Outreach Division.
Cox Media Group
