Crime & Safety
OC Deputy Sexually Assaulted Inmate, Authorities Say; Officer ID'd
An Orange County Sheriff's Department deputy suspected of sexually assaulting an inmate has been arrested, authorities said today.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — An Orange County Sheriff's deputy was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting an inmate, authorities said Friday.
The inmate reported the assault to a jail staff member on Oct. 14 and stated that while in police custody for an undisclosed offense, a deputy assaulted her while she was being treated at a hospital, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's deputies immediately began an investigation that included corroborating information, collecting digital evidence, and serving multiple search warrants, which led to the arrest of Leobardo Martinez Garcia on Wednesday.
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Garcia, 29, was booked into the Santa Ana Jail on suspicion of felonysexual battery and assault ''under the color of authority.''
He posted bail on Thursday and has since been released.
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The deputy has been placed on administrative leave by the department pending the outcome of the internal and criminal investigations.
The case is expected to be presented to the Orange County DistrictAttorney's Office following the completion of the sheriff's department investigation for formal criminal filing consideration.
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