L.A. County deputy held for alleged rape, soliciting bribes

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy was arrested Monday evening on suspicion of crimes including rape and soliciting bribes, authorities said.

Jose Rigaberto Sanchez, 28, was taken into custody without incident at his home in Los Angeles County by Sheriff’s Department internal crime investigators, agency spokesman Steve Whitmore told The Times.

Sanchez, a seven-year department veteran, was most recently assigned to patrol duties at the Palmdale Station.

He was arrested on suspicion of committing 11 criminal counts including sexual penetration under the color of authority, soliciting a bribe from alleged victims and rape under fear or distress, according to Whitmore.

“He was trying to coerce them into doing something,” Whitmore said of the alleged victims. “This all happened on duty.”

There were no immediate details on how many people Sanchez allegedly victimized or where the the crimes took place.

The Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation in 2010 after receiving a tip from an informant, Whitmore said.

Sanchez was relieved from duty with pay in September 2010 after the tip was received, and his pay was suspended after he was arrested at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Whitmore said.

Sanchez was being held Monday night in lieu of $1.4-million bail. The case has been turned over to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

[Updated at 9:05 p.m.: The alleged crimes took place in Palmdale, and the district attorney’s office filed 11 criminal counts against Sanchez, Whitmore said.]

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