A former Los Angeles Police Department officer was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison for the sexual assault of a woman and soliciting sex from another woman. Russell Mecano, a 10 year veteran officer, propositioned a 19-year-old homeless woman to have sex with him for $200 in 2007, after she was arrested on suspicion of battery. She refused and reported the officer to the authorities.

In 2008, Mecano told an 18-year-old girl that he would not arrest her for possession of drug paraphernalia if she had sex with him. He then sexually assaulted her. She reported him to authorities and he was arrested soon after.

He was charged with one misdemeanor count of solicitation and one felony count each of sexual battery and penetration with a foreign object by a public safety official and penetration with a foreign object by force or duress. A jury found him guilty of these crimes last month and he was sentenced this week to 8 1/2 years in prison. Mecano will also have to register as a sex offender.

Sexual assault or battery refers to unwanted or non consensual sexual contact. It carries serious penalties, including: probation, jail time, prison time, parole, sex crimes registration, and classes.  Some possible defenses include: mistaken identity, an unreliable witness, insufficient physical evidence, or false accusations.

If you are charged with sexual assault or battery, please contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you in your case.