Former Kansas Sheriff’s Deputy Accused of Inappropriate Relationship With Fall River Teen Expected to Change Plea
FALL RIVER MA, KANSAS CITY, KS – A former Kansas sheriff’s deputy is expected to change his plea in a case connected to allegations involving a minor, according to court records.
Authorities said 25-year-old Garrett Gayoso of Baxter Springs was previously indicted on a federal charge related to the alleged exploitation of a minor.
Court documents indicate that the previously scheduled federal trial in Kansas has been canceled, and a plea hearing has been set for March 30.
In Massachusetts, the related Bristol County case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on April 26.
Investigators allege that the case stems from an investigation involving a minor from Fall River.
Gayoso was arraigned in December in Fall River Superior Court following a joint investigation conducted by authorities in Kansas and Massachusetts into his alleged inappropriate relationship with the juvenile.
Earlier court proceedings in Fall River District Court included charges related to sending obscene material to a minor and other allegations connected to explicit communications. According to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, the court set a $1,000 cash bail with conditions prohibiting social media use and any contact with the alleged victim. Prosecutors had requested a higher bail amount.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas, the investigation began after the Fall River Police Department contacted them on April 28 regarding allegations involving a deputy who was employed by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the Massachusetts police department requested assistance from Kansas officials as part of the investigation into the alleged relationship between the deputy and a juvenile.
Detectives from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the information and requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation due to the deputy’s employment status at the time. The investigation was carried out with cooperation between the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts.
The deputy was immediately placed on administrative leave while both an internal and criminal investigation were conducted. Officials later confirmed that he resigned from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said that on May 9 an arrest warrant was issued for Gayoso by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts.
On May 13, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office learned the warrant had been entered into the national law enforcement database with nationwide extradition.
Officials said attempts were made to locate Gayoso, but he was not immediately found. Authorities were later contacted by his attorney, who stated that arrangements had been made for Gayoso to surrender to law enforcement authorities in Massachusetts.
According to court records, Gayoso was later indicted in Fall River Superior Court.
Reports indicate that the investigation began after a family member discovered concerning communications on the minor’s laptop and cell phone during April 2025. Authorities said the messages allegedly began in August 2024 and included explicit content.
The case remains under court proceedings, and additional developments are expected as the scheduled hearings approach.
