Panama City Beach firefighter facing molestation charges bonds out of jail

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Updated story (12/2/18): A Panama City Beach firefighter has bonded out after appearing in court on molestation charges Sunday morning, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

WCSO said Joseph Middlebrooks, 48, posted a $50,000 bond.

WCSO's Public Information Officer said he was released from Walton County Jail Sunday morning.

Middlebrooks now awaits trial after a juvenile victim reportedly told authorities about multiple molestation incidents involving Middlebrooks over the course of a year.
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Original story (12/1/18): According to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, a Panama City Beach firefighter was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation Saturday.

Sheriff's officials said on Thursday, a juvenile victim told WCSO about multiple incidents of molestation that took place over a year.

According to WCSO, the juvenile said Joseph Middlebrooks III, 48, of Inlet Beach would touch her inappropriately and told her not to tell anyone because it would "ruin his life."

Officials said Middlebrooks is a firefighter for Panama City Beach Fire Department and helped coach girls' volleyball in Panama City Beach for years.

WCSO investigators issued an arrest warrant for Middlebrooks after they were notified.

Middlebrooks reportedly turned himself in Saturday. Officials said he is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of twelve and is being held at the Walton County Jail without bond.