Ex-deputy charged with sexual assault

Joe Garcia fired by Brazoria County Sheriff's Office in April

BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas – A now former sheriff's deputy has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman after giving her a ride.

Ex-Brazoria County sheriff's Deputy Joe Garcia, 37, has been charged with sexual assault and official oppression.

Investigators said Garcia responded to one-vehicle crash on County Road 400 outside of the town of Brazoria early on March 30.

A 24-year-old woman drove up on the wreck to check on the people inside the car. For a reason not released by deputies, she couldn't drive herself home, so Garcia gave her a ride to a friend's house in Brazoria.

Detectives said that after the woman and Garcia got out of the car, Garcia made sexual advances and assaulted the woman.

Garcia was fired by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office on April 10. A grand jury indicted him last week.

Garcia surrendered to deputies on Tuesday and posted $50,000 bond.