May 26, 2009

Sheriff’s Sergeant Arraigned on Sexual Assault, False Imprisonment Charges

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s sergeant accused of sexually assaulting one woman and inappropriately searching two others while on duty was arraigned today, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Natalie Adomian of the Justice System Integrity Division said Mark Fitzpatrick, 39 (dob 11/27/69), was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to four felony counts –penetration under threat to arrest or deport, sexual battery by restraint and two counts each of false imprisonment by fraud and deceit. The defendant also faces a misdemeanor count of false imprisonment.

Fitzpatrick, who worked out of Compton Station, was ordered to return for a preliminary hearing on July 6 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The defendant is out on $245,000 bail.

The charges, which were filed yesterday in a felony complaint for arrest warrant, stem from three separate incidents in May 2008 during which Fitzpatrick conducted traffic stops. Fitzpatrick has been relieved of duty with pay.

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