Rape Charges Filed Against LAPD Officer

The district attorney’s office filed rape charges Thursday against a Los Angeles police officer in the 77th Street Division.

Officer Joseph Robinson, 26, is accused of raping two women while on duty in January and March. The officer, who joined the LAPD in 1999, is charged with six counts, including “rape by threat to arrest or deport” and “sodomy under color of authority.”

The alleged victims, both admitted prostitutes, said Robinson coerced them into having sex with him by implying he would arrest them if they did not comply. The alleged assaults took place Jan. 28 and March 29, according to a copy of the criminal complaint against Robinson.

Robinson is being held in lieu of $1-million bail and could not be reached for comment.