HOUSTON – A woman who claims a now former Houston police officer raped her took the stand Thursday to continue her testimony in his trial.
Abraham Joseph, 29, has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Police said he kidnapped a waitress outside of El Diamante Nite Club, 3416 W. Fuqua, on Jan. 2, 2011, while he was on duty.
Prosecutors said Joseph handcuffed her, drove her to a secluded section of Townwood Park, 3600 Simsbrook, and raped her.
She claimed Joseph was dressed in his uniform and armed when she was kidnapped.
Prosecutors said Joseph originally arrested the woman and a man in in the parking lot of the night club. The woman claims that Joseph dropped the man off on the side of the road, took her to the park and then raped her while she was still handcuffed.
While on the stand, the woman was tearful and angry at times. She often looked directly at Joseph and even addressed him. She testified with the help of a translator.
"He grabbed my skirt and put his hands under my dress," the woman said in Spanish. "He ruined my life."
Joseph's attorney claimed the sex was consensual.
The woman said she was originally afraid to come forward because she feared being deported. She is in the United States illegally.
Prosecutors said that Joseph has been investigated as a potential suspect in five separate rape cases.
If convicted, Joseph could be sentenced to up to life in prison.