Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Police officer arrested for sexual battery on relative
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A police officer sits behind bars at the Broward County Jail Wednesday morning accused of sexual battery against a teenage relative.
According to Sunrise Police, 46-year-old Ronald Baker turned himself in at the Broward County Courthouse Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Baker had been working as a Seminole Indian Police Officer since 2006. The teenage victim told detectives that for the past two years, Baker had allegedly been giving her prescription sleeping pills before the sexual assault.
Judge John Hurley increased some of the standard bonds for the former officer citing the seriousness of the charges involving such a young female victim.
The judge also ordered Baker to hire his own attorney despite his plea of poverty. "After today you're going to have to go and hire private counsel. You have equity in your house, you're going to have to take out a loan," said Judge Hurley. "If you own a house that's got a value of $360,000, you should in no way have a free lawyer."
Baker was taken to the Broward County Jail. He was charged with 10 counts of sexual behavior. His bond was set at $228,500.
If Baker can satisfy those requirements, the judge will allow him to return home wearing an electronic ankle monitor.
He has since been terminated by the Seminole Police Department.
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