San Diego Police Officer Arrested on Sexual Misconduct Charges
A San Diego police officer who was just awarded a medal for bravery for entering a flame-engulfed building to rescue a woman trapped on the second floor in 2012, has been been accused and subsequently arrested on charges of sexual misconduct. Chris Hays, 30, is a four year veteran of the force.
The misconduct, which has been reported by seven different women includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate touching; namely improper patdowns. However, none of the allegations involve any skin-to-skin contact.
On February 9th, the day of the arrest, Hays was formally charged with “suspicion of sexual battery and false imprisonment of women while on duty.” The sexual battery counts are misdemeanors while the false imprisonment counts are felonies. Hays had been suspended from work as early as midway through January as authorities explored the allegations.
One of the victims detailed her encounter with Hays through her attorney, Brian Watkins. She reported that after asking Hays for a ride home, he told her that part of the protocol of being a police officer was frisking people to make sure that they were unarmed. Hays then proceeded to lead the victim to a remote area where his frisking involved the inappropriate touching of the woman’s genital areas and then forcing her hand onto his own genitals.
Hays, a former Marine who served as lance corporal in Iraq, has denied all charges that have been brought against him and was released on bail for $130,000 as he awaits his trial. Unfortunately, this is not the first scandal involving sexual matters and the San Diego Police Department. Just three years ago, another police officer was accused and later convicted of ending traffic stops by petitioning for sexual favors from females. That officer was sentenced to prison for eight years and eight months.
About the Author:
Patrick Donovan is a former assistant district attorney in Massachusetts. Attorney Donovan has appeared in over fifty Massachusetts courts representing clients accused of both felony and misdemeanor crimes. Attorney Donovan is consider the best Massachusetts criminal lawyer by many.
