A former Gilbert Fire and Rescue captain is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl during a party at her home.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials said Michael William Palmatier, 48, was taken into custody Wednesday on charges of sexual conduct with a minor, indecent exposure and kidnapping.

Prior to his arrest, Mr. Palmatier resigned from the Gilbert Fire Department after nearly 20 years as a first responder.

Town officials issued a statement saying they are aware of Mr. Palmatier’s arrest and resignation and are cooperating with MCSO’s investigation.

Court documents released Thursday afternoon indicate MCSO first began investigating the allegations Sunday, going to a home in Queen Creek where they contacted the victim’s aunt.

The girl revealed to her aunt that a man had removed her clothing and licked her, records state. The man also allegedly exposed himself to her.

Family members determined the offender was likely their neighbor, Michael Palmatier, from a description the girl gave them.

A family member went to Mr. Palmatier’s house, and reportedly found him extremely intoxicated. Mr. Palmatier asked the family member if he was mad at him, and said he messed up.

The girl’s mother was hesitant about letting her daughter go through forensic and SANE exams, telling MCSO she didn’t want the girl to associate Easter with the exams and the reported allegations.

However, the parents ultimately decided on letting their daughter undergo a forensic exam on Easter but not the SANE exam.

The girl told MCSO she was in her aunt’s bedroom during a party Saturday and had fallen asleep. When she woke up, she realized a man was engaging in sexual acts with her.

Recognizing what was happening was wrong, she bolted for the bathroom, but not before the man grabbing her arm and telling her “Wait.”

The man reportedly said “Please forgive me,” before leaving the room.

A former coworker told MCSO that he knew Mr. Palmatier to have serious drug and alcohol issues, in addition to being attracted to younger women.

In one-party consent calls, Mr. Palmatier told his former coworker that he had did some things he can’t take back, records state. He also reportedly told the girl’s aunt that he thought he was engaging with the aunt, not the girl. The aunt confronted him on how he could confuse a woman and an 8-year-old.

Mr. Palmatier admitted what he did was wrong, and said he would never knowingly do anything sexually with a juvenile.

MCSO on Wednesday contacted an assistant chief with Gilbert Fire to coordinate contact with Mr. Palmatier, who was subsequently arrested.

It was unclear if Mr. Palmatier has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf about the case.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office worked with the Maricopa County Superior Court to ensure necessary redactions of court documents involving the arrest of Michael Palmatier were made to protect the child victim, to include names and addresses.

Mr. Palmatier was booked into jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond. He is not allowed to return to his residence, since the alleged victim lives in the area.

His next court appearance is Wednesday.