Los Angeles Co. Sheriff's Deputy Charged In Rape, Bribery Case
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 28-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy was charged Tuesday with several felony counts of rape and bribery involving two women.
Deputy Jose Rigoberto Sanchez faces 11 felony counts, including solicitng a bride, kidnapping to commit another crime, rape by fear or duress and multiple counts of sexual assault under color of authority.
The crimes reportedly occurred while Sanchez was on duty.
Sanchez reportedly solicited a bribe from a female driver when he pulled her over in Palmdale on Sept. 22, 2010.
"Sanchez allegedly offered not to arrest her on an outstanding warrant in exchange for sex," LASD spokesperson Jane Robinson said. "Two nights later, he pulled over another female on suspicion of DUI
and allegedly solicited a bribe in the form of sexual activity."
A six-month probe into the 2010 incidents began after investigators received a tip from an informant. The case was turned over to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office in January 2011.
Sanchez was relieved of duty with pay after the alleged incidents and was relieved of duty without pay after his arrest Monday.
He is being held on $1.45 million bail and was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning. If convicted, the former deputy faces up to life in state prison.
A mug shot of Sanchez has not been released.
