SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — An officer with 15 years with the Oviedo Police Department who is accused of fondling a minor under her clothes stood before a judge Monday.

Ofc. Joseph Meyer's attorney Bob Fisher stood with him to fight against several child molestation charges he's now facing. Fisher said the charges caught his client by surprise.

"I was (biased) upon the substantial ties that exist he has to the community and his history of employment. I was surprised. I thought the judge would render some kind of release," Fisher said.

According to an arrest report, Meyer was actually the one who reported what he was doing. Meyer reportedly told someone close to the child, whom according to detectives was younger than 12 years old when Meyer reportedly began molesting her.  

The 42-year-old Meyer faces seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a minor and he spent Sunday night at the Seminole County Jail.  

Detectives with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office say the police officer would go into the child's room and inappropriately touch her underneath her clothing at night.

According to Meyer's arrest report, the abuse happened every other weekend when Meyer was around.  

Oviedo Chief of Police Dale Coleman reacted to the charges against his officer. 

"The acts of this nature are deplorable, and I have a daughter so, you know, I can only imagine. I know how tough it can be to make an accusation like this," said Coleman.

Meyer was arrested Sunday morning and is being held without bond on one charge of molestation on a victim younger than 12 and he has a $90,000 bond on six charges of molestation on a victim older than 12, but younger than 16.

"Everyone in this department, everyone that I know of that knows Officer Meyers was shocked when this occurred. when we were informed of what happened. It totally surprised everybody," Coleman said.

He made it clear that this is still a very active investigation.  

Meyer is on administrative leave at this moment, without pay. He was hired at the police department in 2003 and has worked on the community patrol division.

Meyer's personnel file said he's had counseling for failing to meet supervisor expectations and issues with using his taser in the past, but there’s were also awards and accomplishments listed.

The judge ordered Meyer to have no contact with the victim.

Reporters Deborah Souverain, Brittany Jones and Matt Fernandez contributed to this story.