LOS ANGELES — A 31-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman he previously dated.
Joshua Michaels Duarte of Rowland Heights faces three felony counts: sexual battery by restraint, dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime and assault with intent to commit a sex crime.
Duarte, a former Upland Police officer, reportedly asked the 29-year-old victim who had recently ended their romantic relationship to meet with him in his vehicle on Dec. 30, the prosecutor said. During that encounter, the defendant is alleged to have sexually assaulted the woman, the prosecutor added.
“I can tell you that I am disturbed by the allegations,” Upland Police Chief Darren Goodman said. “The alleged conduct is inconsistent with the expectations of an Upland police officer and does not reflect the majority of our officers who work hard every day to maintain the trust and support of our community.”
If convicted as charged, Duarte faces a possible maximum sentence of eight years in state prison and lifetime registration as a sexual offender. Bail is set at $200,000.
The case remains under investigation by the Pomona Police Department.
