SANTA CLARITA – The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office is considering whether to file charges against a deputy who allegedly said he would protect a woman from an abusive husband but then pressured her to have sex with him at his Palmdale home, a D.A.’s office spokesman said in comments reported Wednesday.
The mother of three said she walked into the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station on Dec. 12, 2016, desperate for protection from her ex-husband after she’d been turned away on previous occasions because she lacked proof that her former spouse violated a restraining order, according to the Los Angeles Times. This time, Deputy Josh Clark in the front office said he would help.
Clark wrote down his personal phone number and told the woman to call him the next time her ex-husband showed up at her house, she said. Soon, she and the deputy began a correspondence. She alleges that he repeatedly sent her lewd messages and pressured her to have sex under the pretense that he would provide law enforcement assistance, The Times reported.
The woman said she finally gave in to Clark’s overtures by driving to his house in Palmdale and engaging in sexual conduct with him, believing he would help her. In the end, Clark didn’t provide any substantive law enforcement assistance, she said.
Clark was suspended from duty and is now under criminal investigation tied to the woman’s claim of sexual battery, according to The Times. Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators presented findings to prosecutors in September. The District Attorney’s office is considering whether to file charges, Greg Risling, a spokesman for the agency, told the Los Angeles Times.
Capt. Darren Harris, a sheriff’s spokesman, told The Times that Clark has not been arrested. The deputy, a 12-year veteran of the department, has been on paid administrative leave since January 2017, Harris said.
Maureen Okwuosa, an attorney for Clark, said the deputy acknowledges knowing the woman but contends her allegations are “not truthful,” The Times reported. [View the Los Angeles Times story here.]
The woman’s claims are spelled out in a civil lawsuit she filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week against Clark and the Sheriff’s Department, alleging sexual battery and emotional distress. She also said the agency didn’t investigate and arrest her ex-husband until an employee at the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley heard about her experience and reported it to authorities.
–
Alexis says
Police officers are trained in handling domestic violence, and work with domestic violence shelters to make sure that the victim is taken to a shelter if that person is willing to receive help. Unfortunately there are too many predators in law enforcement that seize the opportunity to take advantage of a vulnerable victim. The only reason this is being investigated is because the shelter got involved by making a phone call. It certainly doesn’t mean because this case is being investigated, that the outcome will be the truth.
Dauntless says
What a miserable pud! The cop took advantage of a vulnerable, ABUSED woman! A whole new meaning to, “To Serve and Protect”!
Tim Scott says
If only it was really new.
Tom says
Rex has been using sheriffs in Lancaster to do his stalking, tailing, and who knows what else for years. No wonder crime is so high in Lancaster. Instead of being on the streets, they are serving as his highness.
Fishy says
Another classic case of .” Captain Save a HO” gone south. Smells like they started playing around between the sheets. “Undercover” for a little while then He probably decided enough was enough, after She began to want more, more could be various things other than protection,and or direct action towards her EX…which leads me to believe she was looking for a meal ticket,He didnt want it, so she went Hail Mary, and filed a big one against the County too.. Big Balls on that one, to embarrass a bunch of people,and cost the same people and county a lot money, I sure hope they Investigate the hell out of this whole thing..
Kdcali says
Lets see the pic,I want to see the pic
young sheldon says
Alleged Sexual Battery is a crime and belongs in criminal court – complete with due process for the accused, not civil court. People should not be allowed to pursue crimes in civil court in search of a hefty financial settlement at tax payer expense.
Tim Scott says
Part of “under cover of authority” is the implication that no one will cooperate in pressing criminal charges.
Really says
I think you are referring to “under the color of authority” and no, part of it isnt the drivel you posted. It actually means that you are using your position to attempt to legitimize illegal behavior.
Tim Scott says
Which, with the blue wall of silence means that “legitimized” behavior will never be investigated or charged. Now, why don’t you go polish a baton, badge-licker.
Really says
Your reading comprehension needs work. Who brought the case to the DA? What does that mean? Here is a clue, LASD is seeking that charges be filed. DA is deciding. Some blue wall of silence when his employer wants him to be charged. If there is evidence he will face charges, lose a career and all will be earned and deserved. But you have an agenda based on your own issues. So just go back to polishing your own baton.
Lawsuit says
Your correct. Our world is so corrupt now. My ex was an opioid addict but because he was friends with J Zink and politicians who violated my home and rights for my ex who left us for a relative of a person in power… they hurt me for trying to expose the opiod epidemic. Ive been harrassed by their secret opiod society and dirty drug sales in political positions…. I had to reach out to the Trump administration to take these known opioid users in political seats down. Because of their political power I fear… but I did send proof to an attorney in case my they harm my son and I. The lady across the street threatened us sheriff’s will kill my son and I… however when I tried reporting it sheriff’s would not allow me to report any of it. So my friends are uploading over a dozen videos to YouTube on neighborhood break ins :-) guess who broke in
Bologne says
This is a [removed] case she had sex believing it would help her???? Please she used the cop and she did not get her way! I think she should be arrested for prostitution…. period!
so over these dirty deputies says
Prostitution? Haaaaaa! That’s a stretch. How about not being a dbag dirty deputy? How about not using his job/uniform as a way to hookup? This isn’t tinder. Maybe he should have been a real deputy and helped her by doing his job when she went in to request it. I say good riddance! He better start practicing “would you like fries with that?”
Nojustice says
His dad raped my old boss…. they did not help her… shrug
Tim Scott says
Lemme guess…his dad was a cop too.
Tim Scott says
Do you realize that by describing her actions as “prostitution” you are acknowledging that the deputy is in fact guilty of solicitation?
Alexis says
@Bologne…You don’t understand, and if I explained to you, you still wouldn’t understand. She is not a prostitute, only a very desperate woman that was manipulated by the officer. She was a mark to him. This happens too often.