Officer charged with molestation

ST. LOUIS -- A 28-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department has been charged for the alleged abuse of a child under 14 years old, prosecutors said.

Dennis L. Thouviner, 54, was charged Saturday with first-degree statutory sodomy, first-degree child molestation, second-degree statutory sodomy and second-degree child molestation.

The first three are felony charges, the fourth a misdemeanor.

Authorities say the abuse took place over a two-year period that ended Fruday, when the St. Louis County Police Department began investigating the case.

Thouviner was suspended without pay Saturday and is free on $250,000 bond

Officials declined to provide the age or gender of the alleged victim.