Chief of Staff to Top Dem and Former Obama Advisor Arrested for Soliciting Sex from Minor

No word whether he's in line for a job with the TSA.

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.

More here.

Decheine was arrested as part of a sting targeting people interested in sex with minors -- the first one ever launched by the Gaithersburg Police Department, according to a press release provided to TPM. Eleven arrests were made during the operation, which came in phases. First, ads were placed online and an undercover officer began communicating with each "John."

In 2008 Decheine was an advisor to Barack Obama.

Rothman sure took his sweet time making this public.

Decheine was arrested at 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 and Gaithersburg police contacted authorities in the House to confirm the employment information he gave them, Lane said.

The solicitation was for sex with an underage girl, said Gaithersburg Police Officer Dan Lane. Decheine was released on $15,000 bail.

Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, learned of the arrest from the House sergeant at arms at 3:30 p.m. Friday, spokesman Aaron Keyak said in a release. Rothman “immediately consulted appropriate House Counsel and terminated Mr. Decheine’s employment,” the release said.

“Congressman Rothman considers this alleged criminal act to be shocking, appalling and indefensible,” the release said. “As a parent, he understands the vital importance of protecting our children from predators.”