House Staffer Charged With Soliciting Sex From Minor

Bob Decheine was arrested November 19 (Gaithersburg, MD Police Mug Shot)

Fox News has learned that Bob Decheine, longtime chief of staff to Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) has been arrested by police in Gaithersburg, M.D. for allegedly soliciting sex from a minor and has been fired.

Decheine is 48 and has been Rothman's Chief of Staff since 2003. He's also a former aide to Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.).

The arrest was made last Friday, and was apparently part of a sting by Gaithersburg police. According to a press release from police, the offense carries a sentence of no more than 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine or both.

Rothman's office released a statement, reading in part:

"On Friday, November 19, 2010, at 3:30 pm, the House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms contacted Congressman Steve Rothman personally and informed him that the Gaithersburg Police Department had arrested Mr. Robert Decheine, who was then serving as his Chief of Staff, on a charge of sexual solicitation of a minor. Congressman Rothman immediately consulted appropriate House Counsel and terminated Mr. Decheine's employment, effective November 19, 2010, due to the very serious nature of this charge. Congressman Rothman considers this alleged criminal act to be shocking, appalling and indefensible."