Special Forces Veteran Arrested at Pensacola Airport on Child Sex Abuse Charge

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- A military special forces veteran was arrested on child sexual abuse charges while getting off a plane at the Pensacola airport last weekend. The Walton County Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Brendan Souder had groomed and sexually abused a child he met through competitive shooting competitions over several years. Deputies had served a search warrant at his home in Walton County days earlier -- and they say evidence was collected that gave probable cause for his arrest. Due to Souder's background and firearms training, the U.S. Marshals assisted with the arrest. He now faces charges including lewd and lascivious battery and molestation of a child, child abuse, having sex with a victim between 16-17, and child abuse. He's being held in the Escambia jail pending extradition back to Okaloosa County.