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Former Palmdale deputy pleads to rape, bribery

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Deputy Jose Rigoberto Sanchez was on duty at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on Sept. 22, 2010, when he drove a woman into the desert and raped her, prosecutors said.
Deputy Jose Rigoberto Sanchez was on duty at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on Sept. 22, 2010, when he drove a woman into the desert and raped her, prosecutors said.

PALMDALE – A 29-year-old Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, most recently assigned to the Palmdale Station, pleaded no contest today to rape and bribery charges, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Jose Rigoberto Sanchez pleaded to one count each of rape under color of authority and soliciting a bribe in connection with a pair of incidents four years ago.

Sanchez was on duty at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, on Sept. 22, 2010, when he pulled over a 24-year-old female driver who had an outstanding warrant. Sanchez offered not to arrest the woman if she had sex with him. He then drove the victim into the desert and raped her, according to prosecutors.

Two nights later, the Palmdale deputy pulled over a 36-year-old woman for investigation of DUI and solicited a bribe in the form of sexual activity, prosecutors said.

Acting on a tip from an informant, the Sheriff’s Department Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau launched an investigation into the incidents, and Sanchez was relieved of duty with pay in 2010, sheriff’s officials said.

In late July of 2013, Sanchez was charged with 11 felony counts, including sexual penetration under the color of authority, rape under fear or duress, and soliciting bribes from alleged victims. Sanchez, a seven-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was arrested at his home around 5:30 p.m., July 29, 2013, and held in lieu $1.4 million bail. On the day of his arrest, Sanchez was relieved of duty without pay, according to sheriff’s officials.

After months of case delays, Sanchez was due in court for a preliminary hearing Thursday (3/13), where a judge would decide if there was enough evidence for a trial. Sanchez pleaded no contest instead, and was ordered to return to court on April 4, when he will be sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison, according to the District Attorney’s office. Sanchez also must register as a sex offender.

Previous related story: Palmdale deputy arrested for rape, soliciting bribes

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

32 comments for "Former Palmdale deputy pleads to rape, bribery"

  1. His picture should be printed just like all the other criminals. Because he was an officer of the law is only more reason to publish photos. I just saw a picture of a boy arrested for using a pellet gun on abandoned vehicles. Where is the picture of the man who raped women while under the guise of a policemans uniform and badge? Evidently someone is with holding this for their own reasons. Freedom of press?

  2. your in the av the police get away with everything yes his picture should of been put out there just like everyone else,, and eight years ….. come on …….

  3. This article should have included the officer’s picture. They would have done so for a story on some other street criminal.

    • I agree, his picture should have appeared. It may have sparked someones memory of other “misconduct”.

      • Don’t you think if someone was approached in a sexual manner but a cop in uniform, they would remember the incident? So much for being tramatized forever by that type of “misconduct”. When a woman has really been sexually assaulted, they NEVER forget the incident.

        • Narrow response; reason for the photo is very simple, to alert others that ‘this’ deputy has been caught for the same, and not another deputy that might be guilty. What? You think this rapist should be treated any differently than any other rapist? Authorities always release a rapist photo, what not this one? 8 years? Come on. Should have been more like 80 years.

  4. And this is why so many people and officers don’t care when a chick reports rape or death threats. This makes me hate this place.

  5. I sincerely hope the inmates get word of who he is and they repeatedly rape and torture this piece of [removed] every day off his incarceration. It’s little [removed] like this that make us lose faith in the ones sworn to protect us. [removed] him and every [removed] cop that uses their badge for bull[removed]. Their sentences should be triple that of normal population due to the fact he wad sworn to uphold the law and he broke the [removed] out of it..

    • The rape under the color of authority is a special circumstance so he received the max of 8 years. Rape cases can see as little as 3 years under the law

  8. Its about time some of the cops in AV are getting exposed for their corruption! I hope the victims are able to overcome this traumatizing event.

  9. The problem with an 8 year sentence is that he will most likely be out in 3-4 years….this must be another one of those internal cover-ups from the LASD that led to Baca’s early retirement!?….it disgusts me that Mr. Sanchez was able to sit back for almost 3 years and collect his paycheck off of hard-working, tax-paying citizens that he swore to protect 7 years ago when he became a Sheriff…it’s time for this department to have higher standards and get rid of these rogues!

    • It is done because people are still considered innocent until proven guilty. This is seen all the time with public servants.

      • They had the evidence right in front of them….they knew what they were dealing with…they could have suspended him without pay and this would have made the case move forward faster instead of waiting almost 3 years for him to be charged…now what do we do about all the pay he received…does he owe it back or not?

        • Blame the police union if you need to blame someone. Very strong, they probably even provided him with a lawyer.

          It is a sad truth that many cases take a long time to wind their way through the court system.

          Suspension with out pay would be saying he was guilty and then if they could not prove their case and he was never charged, the officer would have had a major lawsuit against the department.

          Look at it this way: had they not suspended him, he would have been free to assault other women.

      • They prolong the case so he can get used to his new life of less income and then move forward. Anyone else would have been guilty until proven innocent. SMH

  10. 8 years?? He got 8 years for RAPE????? He should have gotten 38 YEARS because he is supposed to be a POLICEMAN!!!!!!!!!! UNJUSTICE SERVED AGAIN…………….

      • You are forgett5ing the under colour of authority CRIMES he committed, not just the rape(s). He is a repeat offender too!

  14. Relieved of duty with pay in Late 2010 and finally relieved of duty without pay in July 2013.

    So for about 32 months this jerk was being paid with our tax dollars. I would like that money back even though it was only cents out of my paycheck.

  15. Cops can get away with quite a bit of corruption/dishonesty and not get caught… but this cop went too far. I’m just surprised it took 2 years for justice.

    • Look at the Catholic Church and how some sexual assault/abuse offences date back decades. Some victims will never see justice due the statute of limitations.