Statement of the Los Angeles Police Department on Arrest of Two LAPD Officers Charged with Sexual Assault NR16054ma

Los Angeles: Earlier today the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against two LAPD officers. The officers were charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting four women while they were on-duty.

The charges stemmed from a Los Angeles Police Department investigation involving complaints against two officers who were accused of sexually assaulting the victims several years prior. Investigators from Robbery Homicide Division developed sufficient evidence to arrest the involved officers and present the case to the District Attorney’s Office.

Officer James Nichols, a 15 year LAPD officer, and Officer Luis Valenzuela, an 18 year LAPD officer, will be arraigned at Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Nichols and Valenzuela were charged with multiple counts each of sexual assaults, including forcible rape, rape under color of authority, oral copulation, oral copulation under color of authority and oral copulation by force. Valenzuela was also charged with one count of assault with a firearm. Both officers were previously relieved from duty.

The LAPD will continue their criminal and administrative investigation while the Justice System Integrity Division prosecutes the case. “I will say again, any officer that abuses the public’s trust is not welcome in the LAPD and we will continue vigorously investigating officers accused of alleged crimes and cooperate fully with the District Attorney’s office,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information about this case or any other crime may also contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.