Deputy sheriffs arrested one of their own yesterday for allegedly raping a girl several times, starting when she was a first-grader in the early 1990s.

Edwin Salinda, 55, a state deputy sheriff for about 19 years, was arrested yesterday after being indicted Dec. 16 on four counts of first-degree sexual assault.

The female victim, now 23, told police she had been sexually assaulted by Salinda when she was 6 or 7 years old and in the first grade, from about 1992 to 1993, and again from 1995 to 1996 when she was about 8.

The woman told police Salinda raped her at least 10 times and forced her into oral sex at least 20 times when she was in the first grade, a police affidavit states. She also alleges more incidents of oral sex when she was about 8 years old, from 1995 to 1996.

The woman came forward last year, which prompted a police investigation that began in October.

Salinda was initially arrested Nov. 9. A bench warrant was issued Dec. 16 and served yesterday.

He is scheduled for arraignment Monday in Circuit Court.

Salinda had asked the court on Dec. 22 to reduce his bail of $100,000, but that was denied.

The judge also issued a no-contact order regarding the victim.

James Propotnick, Department of Public Safety deputy director of law enforcement, said Salinda has served as a deputy sheriff in almost every post except the airport. He worked at the state Capitol, the cellblock and at the courthouses and served warrants.

The alleged incidents began during that 19-year period of service, Propotnick said. He also said Salinda was placed on leave without pay several months ago, pending the outcome of the case.