Former Deputy Accused Of Making False Allegations Against Sheriff

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A former Pinellas County sheriff's deputy has been arrested after being accused of contacting the Florida Child Abuse Hotline several times during the past few weeks and making false allegations against Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

An arrest warrant was issued for 49-year-old Kenneth Kimberlin, charging him with the felony offense of making a false report to a hotline. Kimberlin was arrested in Tampa Wednesday and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He will be transferred to the Pinellas County Jail Thursday.

Detectives said Kimberlin admitted after his arrest that there was no factual basis for the allegations made against Gualtieri.

Kimberlin resigned from Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in 2011. He was hired for a short time by the Largo Police Department, but ended up leaving law enforcement.

Since then, Kimberlin has been arrested multiple times. The sheriff's office said he has serious addiction and mental health issues, and has made similar allegations against other people.