2 Veteran LAPD Officers Accused Of Sexual Assault Plead Not Guilty
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Two veteran Los Angeles police officers who are accused of sexually assaulting four women repeatedly while on duty pleaded not guilty Thursday.
James Nichols, 44, and Luis Valenzuela, 43, were arraigned on multiple counts of sexual assault, including forcible rape, rape under color of authority, oral copulation under color of authority and oral copulation by force, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Both are expected to return March 16 for a preliminary hearing. A second hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 24 to determine whether the officers should relinquish their weapons.
Prosecutors were expected to ask that bail be set at $3.83 million for Nichols and $3.76 million for Valenzuela. It was not immediately clear whether those bail amounts were in fact granted.
The alleged attacks happened from Dec. 2008 to March 2011 in various locations including in their police vehicle, according to authorities.
Most of the alleged incidents occurred while Nichols and Valenzuela were on duty, authorities said.
The four women, who were between the ages of 19 and 34, were arrested on charges of drug-related offenses.
Nichols is a 15-year LAPD veteran, while Valenzuela has been with the department for 18 years.
According to the LAPD, both officers have been "relieved from duty" without pay but are still with the department.
The defendants are partners assigned to LAPD's Hollywood Division.
If convicted, Nichols and Valenzuela could face up to life in prison.
