Veteran Colorado Deputy Resigns Amid Investigation Into Adult Video Work

Shannon Lofland, a 21-year veteran of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado, has resigned following an internal investigation into her involvement in adult videos—work she says she turned to out of economic desperation.

Speaking to CBS News Colorado, Lofland, a 44-year-old wife and mother, opened up about her decision, stating, "I was desperate, I was drowning. I found a legal, lucrative means for providing that support for my family that I needed at that time to save my home for them and feed my family."

Lofland had spent years as a driver training instructor for the sheriff’s office, a role she loved and took pride in. However, mounting financial pressures forced her to seek alternative income streams to support her family.

She admitted that appearing in adult videos was a choice she made reluctantly but out of necessity. "It wasn’t something I ever imagined myself doing," she said, but it became a way to avoid losing her home and to ensure her family’s basic needs were met.

The sheriff’s office became aware of Lofland’s involvement in the adult film industry, although they did not disclose how this information came to light. Following this, they launched an internal investigation to determine whether her actions violated department policies.

While the production of adult videos is legal, department regulations require deputies to seek prior authorization for any outside employment. Lofland acknowledged that she had not requested approval for this work, admitting that such a request would likely have been denied.

In the wake of the investigation, Lofland chose to resign on December 3, avoiding what could have been a drawn-out disciplinary process.

She expressed regret for the situation but defended her decision, emphasizing the economic pressures that drove her to this point. "I didn’t know what else to do," she explained. "I was trying to keep my family afloat."

Lofland said her husband fully supported her decision, understanding the dire financial circumstances they faced at the time.

However, she kept her work in adult videos a secret from other family members and friends, not wanting them to know the extent of the measures she had taken to provide for her family. "It wasn’t something I was proud of, but it was what I had to do," she said.

Her resignation marks the end of a two-decade career in law enforcement.

Lofland reflected on her years with the department with mixed emotions, expressing pride in her work but frustration at the lack of understanding for the challenges she faced. "I gave everything to this job for 21 years," she said. "But when it came down to it, I had to make a choice for my family."

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has not commented further on the investigation or Lofland’s resignation.

The case has sparked conversations about the pressures faced by law enforcement personnel and the difficult choices some feel compelled to make in times of crisis.