A Los Angeles police officer has been charged with fondling a dead woman's breasts while on the job, the LA County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.
David Rojas, a four-year veteran with the Los Angeles Police Department, was wearing his body camera on Oct. 20 when he and his partner responded to a 911 call reporting a woman had died, prosecutors said. CBSLA reported that the woman had fatally overdosed.
When the other officer left the room, Rojas turned off his camera and touched the dead woman's breasts, prosecutors alleged. However, since the cameras have a continuous two-minute buffer, the incident was recorded.
LAPD officials had originally placed the 27-year-old on leave after department inspectors randomly reviewing police body camera footage discovered the disturbing incident.
On Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Daniel Akemon announced that he is charging the officer with one felony count of having sexual contact with human remains without authority.
The DA's office is recommending bail be set at $20,000. If convicted, Rojas faces a maximum of three years in prison. His first court date is pending.
During a press conference, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents LAPD officers, called Rojas's alleged behavior "abhorrent" and reiterated that it will not defend the officer.
"We hope that District Attorney Jackie Lacey charging Mr. Rojas for his vile alleged crime will bring some solace to the deceased woman's family during their time of grieving," the union said. "The Los Angeles Police Protective League will not defend Mr. Rojas during his criminal proceedings, and his alleged behavior is abhorrent and an affront to every law enforcement professional working for the LAPD."