Bucky Dent Park director accused of having sex with teen volunteer

Erik Blanco routinely had sex with 17-year-old at park in 2013, police say

HIALEAH, Fla. – A South Florida parks employee is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old volunteer at the park where he supervised, police said.

Erik Blanco, 38, was arrested on eight counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Hialeah police said Blanco routinely had sex with the teen girl, who was a part-time volunteer at Bucky Dent Park.

Police said they had sex on multiple occasions in 2013, but they only learned about it from the girl's family in April.

Blanco was the center director at Bucky Dent Park and was employed with the city's Parks and Recreation Department since 1999. He has been removed from that position pending his termination.

"Erik Blanco has brought a lot of shame to the city, unfortunately," Hialeah police spokesman Carl Zogby told Local 10.

Blanco had nothing to say as he was led to jail Wednesday.

"He should have known better, and that's all there is to it," Zogby said.

Erik Blanco shields his face with his cuffed hands as he is escorted to jail.

Erik Blanco shields his face with his cuffed hands as he is escorted to jail.