Authorities say a staffer for U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp has been arrested and charged with 17 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
A Ford County jail official told The Associated Press on Saturday that Matthew P. Pennell is being held on $75,000 bond. The official said he couldn't release the name of Pennell's attorney or make Pennell available for an interview. No information is available in online court records.
KWCH-TV reports that Pennell was arrested Thursday after an investigation by Dodge City police and the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Chief of Staff Mark Kelly said in a written statement that Huelskamp's office has placed Pennell on unpaid leave. The statement said there would be no further comment.
Huelskamp is a Republican representing Kansas' 1st Congressional District.
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