HOUSTON -- A Houston police officer was indicted for allegedly forcing a woman to perform a sex act on him to avoid a trip to jail, Local 2 reported Friday.

Video

Officer Investigated For 8 Months

Houston Police Department Officer Charlie D. Loftin Jr. is charged with sexual assault, a felony. He was indicted Wednesday and posted a $10,000 bail.

Assistant District Attorney Tommy LaFon told Local 2 the officer was called to a northwest Houston traffic accident on Dec. 28, 2003, when he spotted a woman walking away with her boyfriend.

The officer reportedly detained them both to investigate if they had left the accident scene.

Officials said Loftin told the woman's boyfriend to "take a hike" before he handcuffed the woman and put her in the back of his patrol car.

Loftin then gave the woman a choice -- have sex with him or go to jail, according to prosecutors.

He drove to a deserted parking lot a couple of miles away and forced her to perform a sex act while she was still handcuffed in the back of his patrol car, prosecutors said.

Officials spent eight months investigating Loftin. They are still checking to see if there are other victims.

"Certainly, if it is true, I would encourage any woman that this has happened to to come forward and to tell police their story about what happened," LaFon said.

Loftin was relieved of duty Thursday with pay pending the outcome of the case.

He joined HPD in 2001. Loftin has a criminal record, Local 2 reported. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of evading arrest in 1991 and spent four days in jail. He also paid a $400 fine.

Loftin's attorney said his client is not guilty, but he declined to elaborate on the case on camera.

If convicted, Loftin faces up to 20 years in prison.

His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.