A California police officer was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly committing sexual assault while on and off duty.
In July, a report was filed about an attack involving an unnamed officer. Detectives turned the case over to Menifee police, who identified the offending officer as Juan Pesina, 32, who they believe committed the assaults between 2023 and 2024, according to The Press-Enterprise.
Pesina is accused of sexually assaulting someone during an on-duty investigation. However, he is also suspected of carrying out assaults while off-duty.
After completing its preliminary probe, Menifee police Chief Chris Karper said they turned it over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Unit for an independent, impartial investigation.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a search warrant was executed at Pesina’s home — where police found additional evidence corroborating the allegations against Pesina.
Records indicated that Pesina worked for Los Angeles police from 2018 to 2024, when he resigned. He joined Menifee police four days after his resignation.
Pesina was arrested at a courthouse in Murietta. He is facing various charges, including rape, sodomy, and forced oral copulation.
Despite his arrest, Pesina has not been formally charged. He remains jailed on $1 million bail.
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[Feature Photo: Menifee police]
