Maricopa County Charges Two Cops In Sex Assault, Shooting Cases

PHOENIX, AZ — Prosecutors in Maricopa County have announced felony charges against two Valley police officers, including Mesa officer Nathan Chisler, who is accused of shooting an unarmed man who was resisting arrest in late 2019.

In the second case, Phoenix officer Sean Pena is accused of sexually assaulting two women, one who was in custody in the back of Pena's patrol car. The other victim had been the subject of a welfare check by Pena, authorities said.

Charges against both officers were announced Wednesday.

In a statement, County Attorney Allister Adel said she considered it important to maintain "a collaborative, working relationship with public safety professionals."

"However," she continued, " this partnership will not impact charging decisions when it is necessary to hold those in the public safety profession accountable for their actions. The alleged criminal acts in both cases were committed by individuals who are sworn to protect and serve their community."

According to the charges against Chisler, the Mesa officer allegedly "intervened" while other officers were attempting to detain a man in the parking lot of Ojos Locos Sports Cantina on December 6, 2019.

"The defendant approached the victim and fired one round from his handgun striking the victim in the lower left leg and buttocks area. The victim was subsequently taken into custody," the felony complaint reads.

If convicted of aggravated assault, Chisler faces up to fifteen years in prison. In a statement to KJZZ, a spokesperson with the Mesa Police Department said that Chisler was still on the force, but explained that he'd been notified of a "pre-deprivation hearing" held Monday. The hearing recommended that Chisler be fired from the police department.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Police Department says that it has already started termination proceedings against officer Sean Pena, who is charged with two counts of unlawful sexual contact and one count of sexual assault; together, the charges carry a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.

The allegations against Chisler were the subject of an internal investigation by the Phoenix Police Department, a department spokesperson told Fox 10 News. Chisler was placed on administrative leave in November 2019.

In separate incidents, two victims alleged Pena used his role as an officer to sexually assault them.

According to the charges, the first woman alleged that Pena assaulted her while she was under arrest and handcuffed in the back of his patrol car in August 2018. A second victim, the subject of a welfare check, alleged Pena assaulted her after he'd released her from custody in November 2019.

Pena has denied that he'd assaulted or had sexual contact with either woman, authorities said.