A San José Police Officer, Saul Duran, has been taken into custody following allegations of sexual assault involving two women who were minors at the time of the reported incidents. The San José Police Department confirmed that the report was filed on June 18, accusing the 48-year-old officer of sex crimes that occurred between 2008 and 2012.
An immediate investigation by the SJPD's Internal Affairs Unit was launched after the adult sisters came forward. The detectives were able to swiftly pinpoint that Duran had met the victims through The Parent Project, a Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office program meant to aid in parental guidance. Duran was working as a facilitator with the program when he met the sisters, who were then just 14 and 15. The SJPD investigation revealed that it was during these unauthorized interactions outside the program's remit that Duran is alleged to have committed the crimes.
Duran was placed on administrative leave as the Internal Affairs Unit delved into the case. Their work, in conjunction with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, led to enough evidence to move forward with criminal prosecution. Yesterday, Duran was arrested without incident and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail, facing multiple felony charges related to the sexual assault of a minor.
The San José Police Department, shaken by the allegations, issued a public response, seeking to reinforce trust in their commitment to justice. "We were devastated to learn of these allegations and we hope that our swift investigation and arrest of Duran will demonstrate to survivors that we will treat your disclosure seriously, regardless of how much time has passed," SJPD Chief of Police Paul Joseph said. "If the violator is a police officer, they will not be protected by other police officers," he added, per the SJPD News Release.
