Marion County firefighter arrested in Putnam County, accused of molesting victim younger than 12

A Marion County Fire Rescue firefighter-paramedic was arrested at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, accused of lewd and lascivious molestation by a person 18 years or older on a victim less than 12.

Murrel Dempsey Liverman Jr., 57, of Hawthorne, applied for a reserve position with PCSO and detectives “decided to ask him to come in to interview for the reserve position as the safest way to bring him into custody,” a news release from PCSO said.

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PCSO said it received a tip from the state hotline about possible abuse between Liverman and the victim.

“The victim told deputies the abuse started about a year earlier and that on several occasions Liverman would put his hands down the victim’s pants when there were no other adults nearby,” the news release said.

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Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Liverman on Wednesday.

After he was arrested, he was taken to the Putnam County Jail and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

PCSO said it will not release any information that can identify the victim. The investigation is ongoing.

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