LAPD Officer Convicted On Sex Assault, Solicitation Charges
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A veteran Los Angeles police officer was convicted on Monday of sexually assaulting a woman and soliciting sex from another — both while he was on duty.
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KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta Reports
The nine-man, three-woman jury deliberated two hours before finding Russell Mecano guilty of one felony count each of sexual battery by restraint, sexual penetration with force or duress and sexual penetration under threat by a public official and one misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry ordered Mecano, who had been free on bail, to be taken into custody immediately after the jury's verdict.
The 43-year-old officer — who has been on the police force for 10 years — is facing a maximum of nearly 10 years in state prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Natalie Adomian.
Mercano, who was indicted in October 2008 by the Los Angeles County grand jury, is due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on April 14 for sentencing.
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