Crime & Safety
Ex-Deputy Arrested In Kidnapping, Sex Assault Of Girl In LA County: Report
A former LA County deputy and his nephew are reportedly facing charges connected to the sexual assault and kidnapping of a young girl.
LOS ANGELES, CA — A former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy and his nephew were arrested recently in connection to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The ex-deputy, Benny Caluya, 68, was arrested Aug. 28 by Lancaster deputies on charges of sexual assault and kidnapping. His nephew, Clifford Abihai, 49, was arrested on a charge of kidnapping, the Times reported.
It’s unclear how the men knew the victim or what lead to their arrest.
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Caluya first joined the LA County Sheriff's Department as a reserve deputy in 1979, worked as a deputy in San Bernardino County briefly and returned to LA County as a deputy in 1982, the Times reported.
He resigned in 2001 for unclear reasons. His peace officer certification is no longer active, according to the Times.
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Caluya's bail was set at $250,000. Abihai's was set at $100,000. Both men were released on bond the day of their arrest, according to jail records.
They're due in court Sept. 30 at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Special Victims Bureau detectives will present the case to prosecutors for filing consideration before that date, the Times reported.
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