A second Hamiton County sheriff's deputy now faces sex charges out of White County, Tenn., in connection with alleged sexual contact with a minor.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office recently was notified by the White County Sheriff's Department of an investigation involving deputy John Spaulding and alleged improper contact with two juveniles in White County, Hamilton County sheriff's spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said.

Deputy Spaulding wa suspended with pay Dec. 26 pending the outcome of the investigation, she said. He was indicted in White County on Wednesday and now is suspended without pay, Ms. Atkinson said.

The deputy faces two counts of aggravated sexual battery and was arrested Tuesday, officials said.

Also on Tuesday, Deputy Jeff Edwin Baker was arrested and charged with two counts of statuatory rape. He was a school resource officer at East Ridge Middle School, and deputies alleged he had illegal sexual contact with a juvenile female. Ms. Atkinson declined to say whether the victim was a student at the middle school or the nearby high school.

Deputy Baker is on paid suspension while the investigation continues.

A third Hamilton County deputy, James Spates, was arrested in December 2008 and charged with improper contact with an juvenile female as he was transporting her to a juvenile lock-up.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.