Brawley Police officer arrested for criminal sexual assault while on duty

EDITOR'S NOTE - August 16, 2021: Charges against Ricardo Valdez were dropped on July 30, 2021.

BRAWLEY, Calif (KYMA, KECY) - A Brawley Police Officer was arrested Friday afternoon, for an alleged rape, that happened in the city of Brawley; according to the Imperial County Sheriff's Office. In a separate press release from the City of Brawley, the alleged incident is described as a "criminal sexual assault," that happened while 32-year-old Ricardo Gabriel Valdez was on duty.

RELATED: Sexual abuse charges against former Brawley Police officer dismissed

Authorities say the accusation was reported June 24th, but again, Valdez was taken into custody July 3rd. The Brawley Police Officer was placed on administrative leave the day the complaint was made. The Imperial County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.

The suspect was booked into jail, on multiple felony charges, according to ICSO. The San Diego Sheriff's Department and Brawley Police Department also assisted with this investigation.