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LOS ANGELES -- A former officer with the Bell police department has admitted sexually assaulting a motorist while on duty and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the crime, prosecutors say.

Feliciano Sanchez, 34, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Sanchez admitted that on May 16, 2007, he stopped the victim for a traffic violation and took her in his patrol car to a remote location, put his hand on his gun and forced her to perform oral sex, according to the plea agreement.

Sanchez "brutalized a person he had sworn to serve," said U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. "As a result of his criminal conduct, (he) now faces a substantial amount of time in federal prison.

"His conduct eroded public confidence in law enforcement and cast a pall over his former colleagues who obey the law, proudly working to preserve public safety," O'Brien said.

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted Sanchez last year on one count each of deprivation of rights under color of law and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. A federal jury, however, could not reach a unanimous decision in the case.

Sanchez pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank before the case could go to trial for a second time.

Sanchez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced by Fairbank on Nov. 18, O'Brien said.

Bell is about five miles southeast of Los Angeles. Sanchez was an officer with the Bell Police Department for three and a half years, but was fired in 2007.


Click to view image: '"To Serve And Protect!" NOT!'