Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Accused Of Sexual Assault

HEMET, CA — A Riverside County sheriff's deputy faces sexual assault charges after his arrest in Hemet, authorities said Monday.

The sheriff's inmate records show 33-year-old Deputy Alexander Ravy Vanny was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Saturday on Acacia Avenue in Hemet.

He was most recently assigned to the Hemet Sheriff's Station at 43950 Acacia Ave., according to sheriff's Sgt. Mike Kelleher.

The investigation started June 21 when a female volunteer with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office confided in a deputy about a sexual assault committed by another deputy, Kelleher said.

"Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the deputy immediately reported the incident to his supervisor," Kelleher said. "As a result, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into the allegations."

That investigation revealed evidence that Vanny "committed a sexual assault against the adult victim," the sergeant said.

Vanny was booked for suspicion of kidnap to commit rape, rape by force/fear and forced oral copulation, according to the sheriff's online inmate records. Bail was set at $1 million and he was released Sunday.

Vanny was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the investigation, Kelleher said. He was hired by the sheriff's office in May of 2016.

"The Riverside County Sheriff's Office condemns any form of misconduct involving its personnel on or off duty and remains resolute in its commitment to deterring and preventing such behavior," the sergeant said. "The Riverside County Sheriff's Office will employ all necessary measures to ensure employees are held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism."

Anyone with information for investigators was asked to call Lead Investigator Chris Poznanski of the Special Victims Unit at 951-955-1698.

— City News Service