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SALT LAKE CITY -- A police officer charged with sexually abusing a suicidal woman while on duty takes a plea deal.
Tuesday, the state amended the charges for officer Nelson Tuatagaloa and, as a result, he pleaded guilty to two counts of custodial sexual relations.
Tuatagaloa admitted to a judge that on Sept. 30, he did engage in sexual relations with a woman who was in his custody and he was transporting to the hospital for a mental evaluation.
When Tuatagaloa left the courtroom Tuesday, he was fighting back tears, while surrounded by his family and friends.
His lawyer was also with him and said her client was sorry for his actions.
Attorney Rebecca Hyde Skordas said, "He is extremely remorseful for what happened. He is a law enforcement officer that had a very admirable career and it's over now."
Tuatagaloa was originally charged with forcible sexual abuse, but the state amended those charges to custodial sexual relations, which is a statute that deals directly with law enforcement officers and correctional officers.
It makes Tuatagaloa's offense a third-degree felony instead of second-degree felony, and according to his lawyer, it more accurately describes the position of power the officer violated.
Skordas said, "What the law says is that even if the person who you are engaging in this sexual activity with is consenting, it's against the law if you are the custodian, if you are responsible for that person. That is what the case was here."
Tuatagaloa was allowed to leave the courtroom, but he will return next month to be sentenced by a judge.
The penalty for each of his charges is zero to five years, which will likely run concurrent. But his lawyer says she doesn't expect him to get prison time because this is his first offense.
As the state prosecutor left the courtroom, she told KSL the state was pleased with the plea deal. She said it ensured Tuatagaloa's career in law enforcement was over and the victim receives justice for what happened.
E-mail: spark@ksl.com
