Officer accused of sexual assault
- Share via
A former Bell police officer was arrested by FBI agents Thursday morning after being indicted on civil rights charges for allegedly forcing a woman to have sex with him while he was on duty.
Feliciano Sanchez, 33, of Pico Rivera is accused of sexually assaulting the woman following a traffic stop last year, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
After pulling the woman over, Sanchez allegedly drove her to a remote area where he forced her to engage in a sex act, according to the court documents.
Sanchez worked for the Bell Police Department for 3 1/2 years before being fired in September, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. He is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
If convicted of the civil rights charge, he faces a potential life sentence, federal prosecutors said.
--
-- Scott Glover
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.