Richland County, SC (WLTX) - An officer charged for prostitution has been released on a PR Bond, Saturday. He is required to appear in court on a later date for the misdemeanor charge.
Richland County deputies arrested the uniformed Columbia police officer Friday.
Deputies say they got a tip that 32-year-old Mark A. Cornish was at the Econo Lodge in the 7700 block of Two Notch Road with what investigators call a "known prostitute."
Deputies say when they arrived, Cornish left the scene in his patrol car.
Officers say they found a 17-year-old female in the room and charged her with prostitution. Deputies say Cornish was located a few blocks away.
Investigators say they've determined that Cornish paid the female for a sexual act, and that he had met her on more than one occasion.
Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott said late Friday that Cornish has been placed on administrative leave without pay. CPD officers say Cornish is a school resource officer at W.A. Perry Middle School and has been with the Columbia Police Department since May 2009.
"Police officers must abide by every law in the State of South Carolina," said Scott in a written statement. "Officer misconduct will not be tolerated at the Columbia Police Department. We are taking this situation very seriously and will continue to review the allegation."