Caldwell Police Sgt. Dennis Schat has been charged with one count of sexual battery.

CALDWELL - A Canyon County Grand Jury has indicted a Caldwell Police sergeant for sexual battery of a 17-year-old female.

The indictment against Dennis Paul Schat was handed down Wednesday.

Idaho State Police investigated the incident when it was disclosed in May 2008.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Jean Fisher says Sgt. Dennis Paul Schat is accused of fondling the teen in May while off duty.

The 38-year-old is a seven-year veteran of the Caldwell Police Department.

Caldwell Police Chief Chris Allgood says Schat has been on unpaid administrative leave since his indictment on Wednesday.

"When state police detectives notified us of Dennis’ arrest we immediately telephoned all of the department employees," stated Allgood in a news release. "The employees took the news very hard and feel a mix of both sorrow and anger. We are still a small department and very much like a family; we have pretty much had the wind taken out of our sails."

Schat was arrested Thursday and bond was set at $100,000. He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or any other minors under 18.

The case was turned over to the Ada County Prosecutor's Office due to a possible conflict of interest in Canyon County.

Schat will be arraigned in Canyon County District Court at a later date.