A former Pinellas Park police officer was arrested Thursday and charged with traveling to meet an 11-year-old girl for sex, authorities said.
Gary Mygdal, 73, was taken into custody outside an apartment complex after detectives said he had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed was a minor and agreed to meet at what he thought was the child’s home, the Pinellas Park Police Department said. An arrest affidavit obtained by the Tampa Bay Times said Mygdal told officers he had traveled to the location "for intimate sexual contact." He was charged with traveling to meet a minor, a second-degree felony, and was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $15,000 bond, according to online jail records.
Mygdal served as a Pinellas Park police officer from 1974 to 1984 and, at the time of his arrest, was serving on two city boards, Fox13 Tampa reported. City officials said he has been suspended from those boards and could be removed at forthcoming meetings. Pinellas Park Police Chief Adam Geissenberger issued a statement saying the case underscores the department’s commitment to protecting children from predators and that "no one is above the law, and we will hold offenders accountable regardless of their past positions or affiliations."
The arrest affidavit, as reported, describes conversations that law enforcement says were sexually explicit and that led to an arranged meeting. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about how the investigation began or whether undercover officers or cooperating civilians were involved. Court records did not list a scheduled hearing or additional charges at the time of the arrest.
Mygdal’s arrest drew attention because of his former role in the city's police force and current positions on municipal boards. The Pinellas Park Police Department said it takes allegations involving minors seriously and will pursue investigations and prosecutions when evidence supports criminal charges.
The charge of traveling to meet a minor is a second-degree felony under Florida law. Officials did not provide comment on Mygdal’s defense or publicly available statements from him. Further proceedings, including any arraignment or court dates, will be recorded in county court records as the case moves forward.
The department encouraged anyone with information related to the investigation to contact law enforcement. The case remains under investigation, and additional details may be released by the Pinellas Park Police Department or the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office as they develop.