A veteran Alabama state trooper has resigned after he was charged with sexual abuse of a minor.

36-year-old Christopher Stanton had worked in the Highway Patrol Division in Montgomery County. He was arrested in Troy on Wednesday, but police refused to say more about the case.

Stanton was placed on mandatory leave this week after officials at the Department of Public Safety were informed about the investigation.

Stanton had served as a trooper since 1997.