Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says former deputy Travis Stanton was arrested and charged after a 17-year-old complained that he repeatedly visited her workplace, expressed romantic interest, and searched her and relatives in law-enforcement databases. The agency alleges at least nine workplace visits between July 28 and September 17, 2026. These are allegations; the materials available do not establish a conviction or final court outcome.

What the sheriff’s office alleges

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after the teenager submitted an online complaint on August 26, 2026. The agency says Stanton visited her workplace at least nine times from July 28 through September 17 and used multiple databases to search for information about her and members of her family.

The sheriff’s office says Stanton showed romantic interest in the teenager, which was not reciprocated, and called her his “queen.” That description and the alleged conduct come from the agency’s account, not a court finding. The agency has not publicly identified the juvenile in the materials available for this report.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Timeline of the Stanton investigation

  • July 28–September 17, 2026: The sheriff’s office says Stanton visited the teenager’s workplace at least nine times.
  • August 26, 2026: The agency says the teenager submitted an online complaint and the investigation began.
  • September 25, 2026: The sheriff’s office says Stanton resigned while under investigation.
  • September 30, 2026: Sheriff Bob Gualtieri addressed the arrests at a press conference, and the agency published its announcement.

Charges and what is known about the case status

The sheriff’s office lists one count of accessing a computer or electronic device without authority and one count of official misconduct against Stanton. The agency says he was taken into custody. Those charges are accusations, not proof of guilt; the available materials do not provide a court outcome or a defense response.

#1 Best Overall
Field Equipt Law Enforcement Incident Report Notepads, Sheriff, Security & Police Gear, EDC Officer Notebook, Cop Gifts, Interview Equipment Accessories Book, 6 Pack (Security)
  • SHIRT POCKET SIZE: 5" x 3.5" designed to fit in an officer uniform shirt front pocket for easy access. Palm sized notebook makes it easier to write directly in your hand in while on the go
  • STAY ORGANIZED: This tactical note pad has all you need to stay organized and remember to get all important information
  • PROFESSIONAL POLICE EQUIPMENT: Perfect for new patrol officers, security guards, detectives, private investigators case investigator or public safety accessories
  • STURDY DESIGN: Updated to a thicker backing for easier writing in your palm. This double spiral book is designed to line up when to flipped over for sturdy writing one handed. 70 sheets (140 pages) will last you a long time
  • MORE FOR THE PRICE: Dual page design with a citation box style from on front and notes on the back allows you to capture all information

Gualtieri said, “they knew they did wrong, especially with a 17-year-old girl. Both of them are clearly wrong”. This is the sheriff’s characterization of the cases, not a judicial finding.

A separate case involving former deputy Karl Gwynne

The same sheriff’s office announcement covered another investigation, which the agency described as separate and unrelated. It says former deputy Karl Gwynne made 381 queries about a different woman across five law-enforcement databases between January 2025 and July 2026. The agency says Gwynne resigned on September 11, 2026, the day investigators questioned him about database use.

Rank #2
3 Pcs Police Notepads with PU Leather Notebook Cover & Pen, 4" x 8"
  • Designed for Real Field Interviews & Incident Reports: these police notepads feature pre-printed pages with structured sections for recording names, dates, locations, and case details. Helps officers capture critical information quickly and accurately during patrol or investigations
  • Built for Police, Law Enforcement & Security Professionals: Ideal for police officers, patrol duty, security personnel, and criminal justice students. The police notebook with cover and pen set is a reliable everyday tool for field work and reporting
  • Pocket Size for Easy Carry & One-Hand Use: each of the police ticket book measures about 4 x 8 inches, compact and lightweight design fits easily in uniform pockets. Good for quick note-taking on the go, even while standing or in active situations
  • Durable Pu Leather Cover for Daily Duty Use: protective cover resists wear and tear from daily use; Keeps your police field interview notebook safe and organized in demanding field environments
  • 3 Pack Value Set with Pen, Ready for Immediate Use: Includes 3 law enforcement notebooks, a PU leather notebook cover and a pen, providing enough supply for ongoing use. Suitable for personal use or as a practical gift for police officers and law enforcement professionals
Case Alleged database activity Resignation reported by the agency Charges listed by the agency
Travis Stanton Searches involving a 17-year-old and family members; the release does not give a total query count. September 25, 2026, while under investigation. One unauthorized-access count and one official-misconduct count.
Karl Gwynne 381 queries about a different woman in five databases from January 2025 through July 2026. September 11, 2026, when investigators questioned him. Four unauthorized-access counts and one official-misconduct count.

The figures and allegations in the table are the sheriff’s office’s case-specific account. Gwynne’s alleged searches and charges should not be attributed to Stanton, or vice versa.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What remains unestablished

The available agency and news materials do not identify the teenager, include a defense response, or report a final adjudication. They therefore support describing what the sheriff’s office alleges and the charges it lists, but not presenting the alleged acts as proven. Court proceedings can change the status of the case after the agency’s September 30, 2026 announcement.

Best Value
Police Field Interview Notebook, Incident Report Law Enforcement Notepad
  • Portable & Pocket-Sized: Measuring 3.5" x 5.7", this compact police field interview notebook fits comfortably inside uniform pockets, tactical pants, or duty bags for quick on-the-go notes.
  • Designed for Law Enforcement: Features pre-printed prompt sections for suspect details, vehicle descriptions, and incident notes to keep field interviews organized and efficient.
  • Weather-Resistant & Heavy-Duty: Built with a waterproof PVC cover, durable spiral binding, and thick 100 GSM paper that resists ink bleed-through, handling tough daily shifts in rain or shine.
  • Double-Sided Note Taking: Double-sided layout with 80 writable pages per notepad gives officers plenty of room to document critical case details, witness statements, and daily logs.
  • Essential Duty Gear & Gift: A reliable field-tested notebook for patrol officers, security personnel, and investigators. Makes a practical duty gear addition or thoughtful gift for law enforcement professionals.
Rank #3
BookFactory Security Pass Down Log Book, Wire-O, 100 Pages
  • Made in USA - Proudly produced in Ohio by a Veteran-owned business
  • Comprehensive Coverage: This BookFactory log book includes essential fields such as post/shift, time of change, date, weather conditions, and a designated space for detailed notes. This ensures that all relevant information is captured and easily accessible.
  • Sturdy Cover: The trans-lux cover protects the log book from wear and tear, ensuring its longevity and maintaining the integrity of your recorded data.
  • Essential Security Tool: This log book is an indispensable tool for any organization that values security and accountability. It helps to prevent misunderstandings, improve communication, and ensure a smooth transition between shifts.
  • Wire-O with Trans-lux cover, 100 Pages, Dimensions 8.5" x 11" - (Security-Pass-Down) Reorder SKU: LOG-100-7CW-PP(Security-Pass-Down)

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.