US

Cali Cops Face Criminal Punishment Over Police Sex Scandal

Daniel Jedzura, Shutterstock

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Dan Chaison Reporter
Font Size:

Seven law enforcement officials face criminal charges for allegations of misconduct with the teenager at the center of the Bay Area police sex scandal.

Plans to charge five former Oakland officers, a former Contra Costa sheriff’s deputy and a former Livermore officer were announced Friday by Alameda District Attorney Nancy O’Malley.

It’s the latest news from the year-long investigation surrounding Celeste Guap, who says she’s been having sex with Bay Area cops since she was 17. Guap is now 19.

Prosecutors will go after some of the officers for committing sexual acts with the teen, and others will be charged for obstruction of justice, The SF Gate reports.

It is unclear when authorities will officially file the charges, as Guap may need to testify. She is currently being held in a Florida jail after committing felony assault at a rehab center. O’Malley said she may hold off until Guap returns to California.

All seven of the officers were named in O’Malley’s press conference. Charges of felony oral copulation will be pressed against both former Contra Costa deputy Ricardo Perez and Oakland officer Giovanni LoVerde. O’Malley also announced two misdemeanors against Perez for engaging in a lewd act in public. Guap admitted to repeatedly having sex in Perez’s car, according to The SF Gate.

The former Livermore cop Dan Black is facing two misdemeanors for engaging in prostitution and two misdemeanors for engaging in a lewd act in public. Officer Brian Bunton will be charged with a felony for obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor for engaging in prostitution.

Former officer Terryl Smith and Officer Warit Uttappa will both be charged for misusing police computer systems. Leroy Johnson, a retired Oakland cop, will be charged for failing to report misconduct.

The calls for prosecution come on the heels of a Wednesday announcement that the Oakland Police Department is taking administrative action against a dozen officers. Four officers were fired, seven suspended and another ordered to undergo training. (Related: More Heads Roll In Oakland Police Sex Scandal)

The investigation into sexual misbehavior between police and Guap began in September of last year and has spanned at least five law enforcement agencies.

Follow Dan on Twitter

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.