Andrew Alan Haney, 30, was charged with interstate commerce of obscene materials to a person under 16, according to court records. He was appointed a public defender.
According to court records, Haney was involved in chatting with the girl in Polk County, Iowa from Sept. 22-28. The girl said she met Haney through a social media website.
Authorities identified Haney as a suspect after he sent the girl a photo with his police badge with the state seal visible in the photo, according to court records.
West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said Haney was fired.
Tyndall said the situation was an "embarrassment" for the department.
Haney was being held in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
