A former Eastern Carolina deputy sheriff has been arrested for rape and other sex crimes.

SBI investigators Tuesday arrested Richard West of Clinton. The former Sampson County deputy is charged with statutory rape, second degree rape, indecent liberties with a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The sexual assault occurred in April 2011. Once the Sheriff's Office learned the suspect was an off-duty deputy, they asked the SBI to take over the investigation. West was initially put on administrative leave and then fired several days later.

The 30-year-old West began work as a deputy in September 2009 and prior to the sexual assault allegation the man did not have any disciplinary history. He was released on a $250,000 bond.