FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Fresno County sheriff’s deputy accused of sexual misconduct while on duty has now been formally charged with multiple felonies involving two women.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday it filed charges against 31-year-old Alejandro Gabriel Apodaca of Lemoore, including sexual battery, assault by a public official and false imprisonment.
Prosecutors say the first alleged incident happened May 10, when Apodaca went to a woman’s apartment while wearing his law enforcement uniform. Accoring to the District Attorney’s office, Apodaca touched the woman and directed her to engage in sexual contact with him.
Apodaca was arrested three days later after an investigation led by the Fresno Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit.
The felony complaint also reveals allegations involving a second woman.
Prosecutors say that on March 11, Apodaca directed the woman to pull her car to the side of the road. The DA’s office says Apodaca approached her car, reached inside and took her cellphone before allegedly attempting unwanted sexual contact as she moved away from him.
Apodaca is charged with one count of sexual battery by restraint, one count of assault by a public official, two counts of sexual battery and one count of false imprisonment by violence or menace.
If convicted of all charges and applicable allegations, Apodaca faces a maximum of five years and four months in custody. If convicted of the applicable sex offenses, he would also be required to register as a sex offender for life under California law.
Apodaca is currently on unpaid administrative leave from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. His certification with California Peace Officer Standards and Training is also temporarily suspended. According to the sheriff’s office, both actions have been in place since May.