Cop accused of sexual assault during on-duty investigation, CA officials say

A 31-year-old officer has been arrested after being accused of sexual assault during an on-duty investigation, California officials said.

In July, Riverside deputies were contacted by Menifee police on reports that one of their officers, Juan Pesina, sexually assaulted someone while on duty, according to a news release by the sheriff’s department.

During the investigation, deputies were able to identify additional victims of sexual assault within Riverside County between 2023 and 2024, officers said. Pesina encountered the victims on and off duty, officials said.

Deputies executed a search warrant at Pesina’s home and found additional evidence, officials said.

On Aug. 12, Pesina was arrested and booked into jail, according to a news release by the Menifee Police Department. He’s on administrative leave pending the criminal and internal investigations, authorities said.

He faces charges of rape, sodomy and forced oral copulation, officers said.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 951-955-1701, officials said.

Menifee is about an 80-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Cop accused of sexual assault during on-duty investigation, CA officials say."