Detective kills self after he's accused of owning child porn

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a decorated Florida police detective killed himself just before he was to be arrested on charges that he possessed child pornography.

The Florida Times-Union reports that Jacksonville sheriff's Detective Vernon Richardson killed himself Tuesday, shortly after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest.

The neighboring St. Johns County Sheriff's Office began an investigation in December after receiving a tip he had child porn on his computer. Detectives found an image of two adolescent boys having sex. He was questioned Feb. 1 and denied looking at child porn. Investigators say his computer was seized and two photos of naked children were found.