Police Officers charged with sexual assault while on duty
Los Angeles police officers have been charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting four women while on duty.
James Nichols, 44, and Luis Valenzuela, 43, were formally charged Wednesday on multiple counts of sexual assault including: forcible rape, rape under color of authority, oral copulation under color of authority and oral copulation by force, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced in a statement.
Beginning in December 2008, after they became partners, and continuing through March 2011, the two men allegedly began sexually assaulting women at various locations, including in their police vehicle, prosecutors said. All four women were arrested at various times by the officers during narcotics-related offenses, the statement reads.
At the time the alleged assaults occurred, the victims were 19, 24, 25 and 34 years of age. Most, but not all, of the alleged sexual assaults occurred while the officers were on duty.
In addition, Valenzuela is charged with one count of assault with a firearm for allegedly pointing a gun at one of the victims. The complaint alleges multiple victim allegations and principal armed as to each defendant.
If convicted, Nichols and Valenzuela each face up to life in state prison..
