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MIAMI (AP) — A Florida police officer was indicted on federal charges Thursday following allegations that he sexually assaulted several women.
A federal grand jury in Miami charged Hialeah police officer Jesus Manuel Menocal Jr., 32, with depriving two women of their civil rights. The FBI arrested him at the city police department Friday morning while he was on duty.
In June 2015, Menocal took a woman into custody and directed her to remove her clothing for his own sexual gratification, according to the indictment. He's also accused of kidnapping and threatening the use of a dangerous weapon.
On another date that same year, Menocal exposed himself to a woman and grabbed her, the indictment said. This offense also alleges the use and threatened use of a dangerous weapon.
Menocal had been relieved of duty in 2015 while Hialeah’s internal affairs investigators looked into the allegations and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office considered filing charges, the Miami Herald reported. State prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying the victims wouldn't be reliable witnesses and that there was no corroborating evidence. Menocal was relieved of duty again earlier this year and assigned desk work while the FBI was conducting its investigation.
Court records didn't list an attorney for Menocal.
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