The police officer accused of raping a transsexual woman in San Antonio has been arrested as DNA tests link him to the crime. (story via San Antonio WAOI.com)
Although it is not unusual for an FTM to be raped (witness Brandon Teena), I just had a feeling that this was a woman being raped, not a man - despite the early reporting. What is frustrating about all this (again, besides the crime itself) - still - is the fact that despite the proper use of pronouns in the written story, the story that aired on television in San Antonio continued to refer to the woman as "he".
A San Antonio police officer was arrested Tuesday, accused of raping a transsexual. Forty-five-year-old Sgt. Dean Gutierrez, a 16-year-veteran of the department, was arrested while on duty at SAPD headquarters Tuesday afternoon.
Gutierrez was charged with sexual assault after a transsexual named “Starlight” claimed he raped her. “Starlight” claims Gutierrez attacked her last month after picking her up at a west side bus stop while he was on duty.
Twenty-two-year-old Gabriel Bernal, who goes by the name "Starlight," told News 4 WOAI she is happy about the arrest. "I feel so relieved," Bernal said. "But, I feel shaky right now."
Bernal said she now has nightmares following the alleged attack. "I begged for my life and that didn't help," Bernal said. "He (Gutierrez) could have done this to anyone. He had a badge and a gun. He had all the authority to do what he wanted."
According to a police affidavit, the officer is accused of forcing Bernal to engage in sexual acts on June 10. Bernal was at a bus stop when the officer asked him if he had any warrants. After discovering that Bernal had a warrant, the officer told him to get in the car or go to jail. The officer then took the man to another location and forced him to have sex.
Police Chief Albert Ortiz said DNA evidence links Gutierrez to the crime. He said Gutierrez’s career in law enforcement is finished.
Ortiz said he is embarrassed by the arrest, but wants the community to still have faith in the police force. “The citizens in this community deserve to trust every police officer on the street,” Ortiz said. “When something like this happens, of course, trust is destroyed.”
“Hopefully, by handling this case quickly, and as soon as we had the evidence, arresting him sends a message to the community that trusting San Antonio Police Officers is worth while,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said Gutierrez will be fired from SAPD.
News 4 WOAI learned Gutierrez bonded out of jail Tuesday evening