LA deputy sheriff charged with on-duty rape, bribes and more

Sheriff's deputy Jose Rigaberto Sanchez, 28, was arrested Monday evening and charged with eleven felonies including sexual penetration under the color of authority, rape under fear or duress, and soliciting a bribe from his alleged victims. The crimes were alleged to have occurred in Palmdale in 2010, and at that time Sanchez was relieved of duty with pay. Today his status was changed to stop paying him. He was being held on $1.4 million bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The six-month ICIB investigation into the 2010 incident 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 of 2011....

It is alleged that the incidents occurred while Sanchez was on duty.

The seven-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was most recently assigned to patrol at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

The next court date for Sanchez is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

LA Observed file photo