Over a year after the incident occurred, and practically on the eve of the Nov. 7 election, Carrie Crawford has decided to go public about an incident involving her daughter and a Nye County sheriff's deputy.

In February 2005, Crawford's daughter had engaged in an affair with an older deputy while she was member of department cadet program and under the age of 18. She was, however, at the age of consent (which in Nevada is 16) and no state laws were broken by the consensual relationship.

Crawford, unbeknownst to her daughter or herself, had been having a relationship with the same deputy at the time. She did not discover this until her daughter told her about her own relationship.

Crawford also has said in public statements that the deputy with whom her daughter was involved with was her supervisor in the cadet program.

Sheriff Tony DeMeo said this was not true, and that the deputy was not in charge of the cadet program at any time during or after the relationship. This was further confirmed by Assistant Sheriff Bill Weldon.

Crawford claims that her bringing the incident to public light -- almost a year and half after the incident -- is not politically motivated. She said she is simply concerned about the welfare of other young people.

"The man's still employed," Crawford said. "He still has access to children and teenagers."

DeMeo said that the deputy in question -- the second with whom the daughter has been involved -- was "heavily sanctioned." He could not disclose the exact details of the officer's punishment, but he stressed that a cease and desist order to have no further contact with the young women was not the end of it.

He said the deputy never gave him a letter of resignation, and that as sheriff he accepted the decision of the internal investigation and the punishment.

"I'd rather have deputies that take responsibility (for their actions) and don't just cut and run," said DeMeo.

The deputy was found guilty of violating a Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility that DeMeo authored and was put in to effect March 31, 2003.

The specific canon of the code the deputy violated concern ethics, and states: "Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which does not discredit the law enforcement profession or the NCSO."

DeMeo said that he could not see how deputies consorting with someone under the age of 18 could be considered ethical.

Crawford also said that DeMeo had previously campaigned on a platform of not allowing deputies to have indecent relationships with young or underage women.

"Constituents have a right to know what promises DeMeo has failed to uphold," said Crawford.

DeMeo said that while he was a deputy, he was aware of other officers having relationships with younger women and that he felt this was unethical and wrong.

"I didn't campaign on it, but I said that there should be a law against it," said DeMeo.

He lobbied the state legislature and asked for a bill draft request in an attempt to get some legislation enacted regarding the issue. DeMeo said he believes such legislation is necessary because fraternizing improperly with young women is an issue that affects many professionals, such as firemen, lawyers, and doctors, and not just law enforcement officials.

Indeed, he said, this is part of what motivated him to enact the Professional conduct and responsibility policy. "Everyone knew it was unacceptable behavior," said DeMeo in reference to the deputy's affair with both the mother and the daughter. "I had a job to do, and both deputies were sanctioned."