An Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy suspected of sexually assaulting an inmate has been arrested, authorities announced Thursday.
The inmate reported the alleged assault to a jail staff member on Oct. 14, stating that in March, while she was in custody on an undisclosed offense, a deputy assaulted her while she was receiving medical care at a hospital, according to the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff’s deputies immediately began an investigation that included corroborating information, collecting digital evidence, and serving multiple search warrants, which led to the arrest of Leobardo Martinez Garcia on Wednesday.
Garcia, 29, was booked into the Santa Ana Jail on suspicion of felony sexual battery and assault ”under the color of authority.”
He posted bail on Thursday and has since been released.
The deputy has been placed on administrative leave by the department pending the outcome of the internal and criminal investigations.
The case is expected to be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office following the completion of the sheriff’s department investigation for formal criminal filing consideration.