Teen files claim of rape against officer

March 21, 2012

The teenager who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Santa Maria police Officer Alberto Covarrubias Jr. has filed a claim against the city that alleges department officials knew about the illicit relationship as far back as New Year’s Eve. [KCOY]

The claim, which describes the teen as “Jane Doe,” also says that even though the department knew about the relationship, officials allowed Covarrubias to drive the 17-year-old  Police Explorer Scout around in his patrol car until the time of his death.

On Jan. 29, Covarrubias resisted arrest and was shot and killed by best friend, officer Matt Kline. Police had discovered the 29-year-old suspect knew he was going to be arrested for sexual misconduct with a child and intimidation of a witness, police said.

“The fact that the criminal defendant is no longer with us, doesn’t change the culpability of the city”, said Woodland Hills-based attorney Terry Goldberg who filed the government claim on behalf of Jane Doe to KCOY.

In the filing, the attorney claims sexual harassment, sexual battery, false imprisonment, witness intimidation and rape during the month of January.

The teen is also seeking compensation for emotional damages including loss of reputation since Jane Doe was the only female Police Explorer Scout at the time which Goldberg says subjected her to ridicule, contempt and hatred forcing her to leave school, KCOY said.

“Anybody who has suffered the indignation of sexual molestation has severe and significant psychiatric trauma”, Goldberg told KCOY, “many times it’s diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and requires months and sometimes years of psychotherapy.”