San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced today that former San Diego Police Officer Anthony Arevalos, who was convicted of sexual battery, bribery, assault by an officer and false imprisonment, was sentenced to eight years and eight months in state prison by San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser.
"As a police officer, this defendant was in a position of authority but he repeatedly abused the public trust when he solicited sexual favors from women he pulled over," DA Dumanis said. "The District Attorney's Special Operations Division and Deputy District Attorney Sherry Thompson are to be commended for the careful and successful prosecution of this case, which has now held the defendant responsible for his actions."
San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne issued the following statement upon the sentencing of Arevalos:
"Today, convicted felon Anthony Arevalos was sentenced to 8 years and 8 months in prison. I applaud the Judge for his handling of this difficult case and his thoughtful consideration concerning what punishment was appropriate for someone who so completely violated the public trust. I also want to thank the courageous victim who came forward and reported the crime which allowed the San Diego Police Department to do a complete and thorough investigation that ultimately led to his conviction. This case should make it clear to everyone that nobody is above the law. As difficult as this has been for the San Diego Police Department, I believe we have emerged a stronger and more resilient organization. The San Diego Police Department will continue to serve this community with the same professionalism and excellence the citizens have come to know and will work tirelessly to restore any trust that may have been lost."
Arevalos was arrested last March after a woman reported he stopped her in the Gaslamp Quarter for failing to use a turn signal. The victim testified in court that after she tested above the legal limit for blood-alcohol content, Arevalos asked what she would be willing to do to make the DUI go away. The SDPD Officer eventually led her to a nearby convenience store bathroom where he sexually assaulted her.
Charges against Arevalos involved seven women who were pulled over downtown between September 2009 and March 2011 who reported similar experiences. Arevalos was fired from the San Diego Police Department after he was charged in April.
A jury convicted Arevalos in November of 12 counts including four misdemeanors after deliberating for more than three days.
