Sexual abuse charges against former Brawley Police officer dismissed
News 11's Wiley Jawhary talks to Ricardo Valdez about his legal ordeal
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Charges have been dismissed against a former Brawley police officer accused of sexually abusing a woman in 2020 while on duty.
The four charges that 33-year-old Ricardo Gabriel Valdez was facing were dropped in July. Court records show the District Attorney dropped the charges after not finding any evidence.
Valdez says he is trying to leave this chapter behind.
“I am very relieved that the truth finally came out, and I am happy that the District attorney did the right thing,” he said.
Valdez did go to jail, however, his attorney says that his family helped him make bond. This cost them around $500,000.
The attorney says because they paid a bail bondsman, Valdez’s family won’t get that money back.
News 11's Wiley Jawhary with the latest on the former Brawley police officer who was accused with sexual abuse:
Valdez’s attorney says that this could happen to anyone. He says that in California, only one witness is needed for a case to be heard in court.
As for Valdez himself, he has since stepped down from the force. The attorney says that this could happen to anyone.
