Thursday, March 24, 2011 – Scott Wykoff and Associated Press

A Frederick County sheriff’s deputy faces charges of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that 46-year-old Sam Bowman of New Market was charged Wednesday night.

Bowman didn’t immediately return a call to his home seeking comment. No defense attorney is listed in court records.

Bowman has been with the sheriff’s office since August. He was a school resource officer at Walkersville High School.

The charges allege he drove the girl home to Thurmont after school on March 9 and had sexual contact with her while her parents were away.

Police say they began investigating after Child Protective Services called with information from a third party.

Bowman is suspended without pay. He is charged with child sex abuse and a fourth-degree sex offense.