On behalf of Law Offices of Kathleen G. Alvarado posted in criminal law on Friday, May 18, 2018.
A Los Angeles police officer who called Riverside home was briefly behind bars before posting $400,000 bail in connection with an allegation that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.
The officer is facing four criminal charges in connection with the allegation and, if convicted on all counts, could wind up in prison for 32 years. Given the officer is in his early 50s, this would effectively be a life sentence.
The officer reportedly has served with the Los Angeles Police Department for over 20 years. He is currently on administrative leave but is continuing to draw pay pending the outcome of these charges. According to the reports, the officer was not on duty at the time of the alleged incident.
Supposedly, the officer was at a friend’s house and went to the girl’s bedroom at nighttime, where he assaulted her. While the law enforcement authorities which investigated said they received what they called “forensic evidence,” the details of what evidence they have against the officer were not provided.
Getting accused of any crime can be embarrassing and come with a stigma, but being accused of a sex crime is particularly difficult. Given the serious nature of these crimes, suspects may feel that they are guilty until proven innocent and do not have the opportunity to defend themselves or even explain their side of the story. This is so even when the person accused holds a prominent position in the community, as is the case here. This officer will no doubt want the assistance of an experienced criminal law attorney.
Source: The Press-Enterprise, “LAPD officer charged with sexually assaulting 13-year-old in Torrance,” Nathaniel Percy, May 15, 2018.