Nebraska State Patrol arrests former Douglas County deputy - KETV

Nebraska State Patrol arrests former Douglas County deputy – KETV

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“Dudik let us all down. He let down the county that entrusted him to serve and protect. He disgraced our profession.”

A former Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy was taken into custody Thursday morning by the Nebraska State Patrol, marking a sharp escalation in a months-long criminal and internal investigation. Nolan Dudik, who served as a deputy and school resource officer before his termination, faces severe allegations involving artificial intelligence, on-duty misconduct, and child sexual abuse materials, according to KETV.

The arrest comes months after Dudik was initially stripped of his badge. The Nebraska State Patrol executed the arrest following a comprehensive probe that began in December 2025. That investigation kicked off when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children transmitted a cyber tip identifying potential illicit materials connected to an iCloud account tied to Dudik’s personal cell phone number, as detailed in court documents.

From School Resource Officer to Internal Affairs

Dudik joined the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 and stepped into his role as a school resource officer at Westview High School in July 2025, according to reporting cited by Hoodline. His tenure at the school ended abruptly in December 2025 when the cyber tip triggered immediate administrative action.

Sheriff Aaron Hanson stated that he ordered an internal probe and placed Dudik on leave the moment he learned of the federal tip. Up to that point, according to the sheriff, Dudik had no prior disciplinary-action history on his record.

The internal investigation ultimately uncovered multiple sweeping policy violations. Appeal documents made public revealed that Dudik attempted to purchase alcohol while on duty and in uniform, and investigators concluded he was heavily intoxicated during working hours. Furthermore, the documents detailed a recorded 911 phone call originating from a potential mental health crisis at Dudik’s residence, during which he threatened to kill any law enforcement officer responding to the scene.

AI Manipulation Allegations and License Revocation

As the internal probe widened, investigators unearthed even more disturbing claims. Appeal documents state that Dudik photographed on-duty coworkers alongside juvenile female members of the sheriff office’s Explorer Program, then used artificial intelligence to manipulate those photographs into nude images.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office fired Dudik on May 5 following the completion of the internal affairs investigation. Dudik subsequently appealed that termination to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Merit Commission, arguing he was wrongfully discharged and that the agency lacked sufficient evidence. The sheriff’s office denied the appeal, pointing to mounting findings.

Sheriff Hanson noted that keeping Dudik on long-term paid leave was never an option, stressing that taxpayers should not fund a suspended deputy awaiting disciplinary outcomes. To prevent any technicality from overturning the firing later, the agency moved to protect Dudik’s employment-law due process. Dudik’s law enforcement officer license was officially revoked in the week leading up to his arrest.

Parallel Criminal Probes and Agency Fallout

While the internal administrative process played out, a separate criminal investigation was quietly underway involving the Nebraska State Patrol, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sheriff Hanson noted that this multi-agency criminal case was conducted entirely outside his department, though the sheriff’s office fully cooperated with investigators.

Former Nebraska State trooper charged with sexual assault

The fallout has left the agency grappling with the breach of public trust. Speaking on social media via a video announcement, Sheriff Hanson did not hold back his assessment of the former deputy’s actions.

Dudik let us all down. He let down the county that entrusted him to serve and protect. He disgraced our profession. He disrespected this agency, and his actions were an embarrassment to every member of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Court proceedings and the next steps for the sealed criminal case are expected to unfold in the coming weeks as the state patrol and federal partners continue their prosecution path.

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