(Image source from: azfamily.com)

Arizona:
An Arizona Police officer is facing eight felony sex charges in San Diego, California. According to reports, Jared Elkins, a 33-year-old officer with the Yuma Police Department; was charged with 8 counts including forcible rape, rape of an intoxicated person, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by use of force. The incident allegedly happened in San Diego, CA.

Though Elkins pleaded Not guilty to any of these charges. Authorities stated that they received a call from 23 year old victims mother at 04:00 am. The call was made on Sept 14th and to wish the officers responded at a Kensington home. The mother stated her daughter was raped by Elkins.

The statement given by court read, when police arrived, the victim was visibly intoxicated. And the level of intoxication was almost where Elkins should have known the victim was unable to give a consent

Yuma was off duty at the time of the incident, according to the report by authorities. Though the relationship between Elkins and the victim is yet not known.

Elkins is a 7 year veteran who is married from past 4 years now. He is currently with Yuma Police Department. He was then placed on Administrative leave, pending outcome of this trial. He was later released on a bail of $250,000, the day after his arrest.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 22 when he would return. Elkins may face unto 16 years behind bars if he is convicted.  A criminal protective order was issued for the victim who was not in the courtroom

More reports to come in regarding the relationship and the situation when the crime occurred.

By Minu Manisha