Cleshaun Cox, a former Portsmouth police officer, is going through at the least 15 years and as much as 20 years in jail after he admitted to kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old lady whereas he was on responsibility and in uniform.
In accordance with 13 Information Now, the Division of Justice on July 14 introduced Cox had entered a responsible plea to a brand new federal cost of “violating the civil rights of a minor sufferer by forcibly sexually assaulting her.”
Cox, 31, was initially sentenced to fifteen years in jail in August 2021 after he pleaded responsible to state costs of carnal data and abduction, the DOJ stated, including that the courtroom later suspended 10 years of that conviction. The brand new federal cost was introduced towards the convicted ex-police officer as a result of he dedicated the crime whereas he was on responsibility and in uniform.
Court docket paperwork acknowledged that Cox admitted he met the 17-year-old sufferer on or about Might 27, 2019, whereas he was on responsibility as a Portsmouth Police Division officer and in uniform. The sufferer was stated to be driving dwelling when Cox adopted her in his marked police automobile. After getting dwelling, Cox instructed the sufferer to drive to a parking zone earlier than telling her to enter his marked police automobile, courtroom paperwork acknowledged. Cox then drove the 17-year-old to an remoted location and raped her.
Within the wake of the incident, authorities stated Cox admitted he was conscious of the sufferer’s age and likewise knew she didn’t need to have intercourse. Cox additionally admitted to not being truthful to state investigators about what he did that day. He had initially claimed he had no data of the sufferer’s age and likewise falsely stated it was the 17-year-old who moderately “proposed a sexual act to him.”
“Cops are entrusted to safeguard and defend our group, particularly susceptible youngsters,” stated Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Legal professional for the Jap District of Virginia. “Cops will not be above the regulation. Those that abuse their place to commit such abhorrent acts should and might be held accountable.”
Cox is about to be sentenced on November 28. Apart from the jail sentence, Cox additionally faces as much as 5 years of supervised launch and should additionally register as a intercourse offender.
“Our sworn law enforcement officials have an obligation to uphold the structure and are entrusted with defending the protection and high quality of lifetime of the communities they serve,” stated Brian Dugan, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI Norfolk Subject Workplace.
“Cleshaun Cox broke that belief when he, whereas performing below colour of regulation, bodily assaulted a teenage lady and violated her rights to bodily integrity. Cox’s conduct will not be reflective of the consideration and professionalism with which Portsmouth Cops carry out their duties, and I’m grateful for the division’s collaboration on this investigation.”
