Former Claremont Police Officer Arrested Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
A 32-year-old ex-officer of the Claremont Police Department, Gabriel Arellanes, was arrested earlier this month due to serious allegations involving an on-duty sexual assault. The arrest came shortly after he resigned from his position at the end of January 2024.
Details of the Arrest
According to multiple media reports, Arellanes was taken into custody on March 14 by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations division. This followed charges filed against him by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office a week earlier, which included a felony count of forcible oral copulation linked to an incident involving a 38-year-old woman, referred to as Jane Doe.
Civil Lawsuit Filed
Before the criminal charges were filed, Doe’s legal representatives initiated a $20 million federal civil lawsuit against Arellanes, the City of Claremont, and ten of its employees in October 2024. The suit alleges that the assault occurred on February 16, 2024, when Arellanes confronted Jane Doe and her partner in their car on Mt. Baldy Road, where they were reportedly engaging in intimate activities.
Incident Details
The lawsuit states that upon noticing a glass pipe in the vehicle, Arellanes instructed the couple to exit the car, subsequently placing Doe under arrest for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Although Claremont Police Department has several female officers, Arellanes told Doe she would need to be transported to the Pomona Police Department for a search by a female officer due to the lack of availability at his station.
During the transport, Arellanes allegedly stopped multiple times to sexually assault Doe. The complaint details a further incident at the Montclair Transit Center, where he parked his patrol vehicle in a secluded area and forcibly compelled her to perform oral sex.
City’s Response and Ongoing Proceedings
City officials were alerted to the accusations on March 18, 2024, following a liability claim filed by Doe. Arellanes was placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation progressed; he reportedly received his full salary of $76,574 until his resignation on January 29, 2024.
Legal representatives for the city and Arellanes denied the allegations in the civil suit, requesting a jury trial. Arellanes’s defense also sought a delay in the civil proceedings while the criminal case unfolds, to which Doe’s attorney filed a motion in opposition.
Criminal Charges and Next Steps
After being released on bail a day after his arrest, Arellanes is scheduled for an appearance in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court on April 30 regarding the felony charge against him. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, in addition to a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender.
Conclusion
The case has evoked significant public interest and raises concerns about the conduct of law enforcement officials. As the investigation continues, both the civil and criminal proceedings will be closely monitored.
