Jun 26, 2008 11:56 am US/Pacific
Ex-Maywood Cop Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault
LOS ANGELES
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Authorities say a former Maywood police officer is accused of sexually assaulting three women while on duty.
AP
Ryan Allen West, 28, a former Maywood Police officer accused of sexually assaulting three women while he was on duty, pleaded not guilty Thursday.
West formally entered his plea before Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Henry Hall.
West, who is accused of committing the sexual assaults in 2006 and 2007, remains free on $640,000 bond.
Hall set Aug. 4 as a hearing date to determine whether there is enough
evidence to bring West to trial.
West was the Maywood Police Department's canine handler officer. He is charged with a dozen felony counts, including rape by threat to arrest or deport, sexual penetration by foreign object, oral copulation under color of authority, assault by a public officer, burglary and sexual battery by restraint.
Prosecutors allege that West committed the crimes between September 2006 and May 2007.
An investigation was begun last year after an alleged victim went to a hospital and reported that she had been raped by a police officer. Two more alleged victims surfaced during the investigation, authorities said.
West was placed on leave from the department on May 19, 2007, after the allegations against him were made.
West had served as an officer for two years and eight months.
If convicted, West faces up to 24 1/2 years in state prison, according
to the District Attorney's Office.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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