Compton/L.A.: Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 30 Years

[Christina Marie]

Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Assault

By Bulletin Staff Writer

A former sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Compton Service Area was sentenced last Thursday to 30 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting three women while on duty in Compton and surrounding cities.

Gabriel Gonzales, 38, was convicted in February by a federal jury. According to the U.S Justice Department, the sentence is one of the steepest ever handed down to a law enforcement officer convicted on sexual assault charges. He faced up to life in prison for his crimes.

The Chino Hills resident, a former sheriff’s Explorer and Long Beach State graduate, joined the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department in 1996 and was assigned to the Compton Station in 2000 when the department took over patrolling the city and adjacent unincorporated areas.

During 2002 and 2003, Gonzales stopped his three victims and accused them of committing traffic or jaywalking violations. In a blatant abuse of power, he then took them to isolated locations in his patrol car, ordered them to undress, flashed flashlights on their genitals and then raped or assaulted them.

Additional women came forward and made similar allegations against Gonzalez, though he was never charged with additional crimes. Those women testified during the trial.

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Christina A. Snyder described the situation as a tragedy for the victims and for Gonzales’ family, who pleaded with the court to go easy on Gonzales. But Snyder said Gonzales made those tragedies a reality and must suffer the consequences.

Gonzales’ attorney plans to appeal the conviction and sentencing.

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[dopekid127]

he should've got life