Denver police officer arrested as sex assault suspect - The Denver Post

Denver police officer arrested as sex assault suspect - The Denver Post

A Denver police officer has been arrested as a sex assault suspect.

Hector Paez, 31, a patrol officer who worked in District 4, was arrested Monday and is being held at the Douglas County Jail, according to Denver District Attorney's Office media release.

The suspect, who was in uniform and working at the time of the alleged May 16 incident, came in contact with the victim, a 36-year-old woman, and ran a background check on her finding an outstanding arrest warrant out of Jefferson County, said Lynn Kimbrough, a Denver district attorney's spokeswoman.

Paez then allegedly took the woman to an isolated area and coerced her into "performing a sexual act to avoid being taken to jail," the DA's office said.

An investigation by the Denver Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau led to the arrest. Paez will be charged later this week with kidnapping, sexual assault and attempt to influence a public servant, all felonies, prosecutors said.

Paez appeared in Denver County Court this morning at a first advisement hearing. His bond has been set at $100,000.

Paez was hired by the department in 2006.

He was suspended, with pay, since May 19 when allegations were made against him. He remains suspended, now without pay, after his arrest Monday.

The charge of attempt to influence a public servant alleges that Paez lied about his contact with the victim when he was interviewed by internal affairs, the release said.

His next court date will be scheduled after charges are formally filed this week.

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