Cop Fired After Sexual Allegations

Arevalos faces up to 16 years in prison

Anthony Arevalos has been officially terminated from the San Diego Police Department, it announced Friday, in the wake of a long series of suspected criminal incidents that allegedly began three years ago.

The department made a one-sentence statement to announce only that the 18-year veteran's tenure officially ended on Thursday. He had already been suspended without pay and relieved of his badge and firearm.

Arevalos, 40, is accused of trying to elicit sexual favors from five women during separate traffic stops between 2009 and 2011. 

He is charged with 18 counts, including false imprisonment, assault under the color of authority, sexual battery by restraint and receiving a bribe.

The most recent alleged incident took place March 8 when Arevalos, then assigned to the Traffic Division, made a DUI stop on a 31-year-old woman in the Gaslamp.

When the woman registered above .08 percent on a breathalyzer, Arevalos asked her what she could offer him in exchange for making the charges go away, Deputy District Attorney Sherry Thompson alleged.

Arevalos was arrested March 11 and charged in that incident. Soon after, investigators released his photo asking for other potential victims to come forward.

While the charges involve five women, others have been interviewed, but prosecutors have chosen not to file additional charges at this time. Those women could be called as witnesses in the case.

β€œIt’s our position that once the word was out there that was a victim complaining that other people may have mischaracterized his efforts and have come forward and made these complaints that have now been incorporated in the complaint,” said Arevalos’ defense attorney Jan Ronis.  

Arevalos has been relieved of his badge and weapon and suspended without pay. The 18-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department left the courthouse, free on bail. There was no bail increase added with the additional charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6.

Prosecutors say if convicted of all charges, Arevalos faces up to 16 years in prison.

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