Ex-Merced CHP officer charged with sex abuse during traffic stop expects to be 'vindicated'

Oct. 8—A former Merced California Highway Patrol officer, accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop, heads to trial Feb. 15.

Jaron De Bruin, 40, has pleaded not guilty to all charges in connection with an alleged assault in the McSwain area on May 17, 2019.

"We're looking forward to the trial date to vindicate Mr. De Bruin," Joseph Hoffmann, the defendant's attorney, told the Sun-Star.

Charges against De Bruin include felony sexual battery, assault by a public officer, preparing false evidence, and destroying evidence, a misdemeanor.

Merced County Interim Chief Deputy District Attorney Tom Pfeiff is leading the case against De Bruin. The Feb. 15 trial is scheduled to be heard by Judge Steven Slocum in Merced County Superior Court.

The alleged victim in the case, a woman in her 20s, told the CHP that De Bruin touched her underneath her underwear during a traffic stop at Highway 140 and McSwain Road in Merced County, according to court documents.

The complaint sparked investigations by the CHP and Merced County District Attorney's Office that found probable cause De Bruin committed the crime. Charges were filed with the DA's office in May of 2020, nearly a year after the alleged incident occurred.

That same month, De Bruin formally separated from the CHP after nearly four years of employment. A Merced CHP spokesperson previously told the Sun-Star that he could not comment on the nature of the separation.

Accusations levied against former Merced CHP officer

Contrary to CHP policy, De Bruin allegedly deactivated his patrol car's mobile video/audio recording system (MVARS) during the traffic stop. The in-car dashboard camera is not meant to be shut off until a stop concludes.

After shutting the MVARS off, De Bruin allegedly held the victim's hands above her head while using his other hand to pat her down. Her statement claims that De Bruin put his hand inside her pants and underwear, touching her buttocks and genitals. She said De Bruin did not search her pockets or vehicle.

De Bruin told investigators he conducted a "cursory pat-down" of the woman out of fear for his safety after observing what he described as suspicious behavior and a bulge in her pants. He denied touching her anywhere under her clothes during the search.

But De Bruin's behavior at the scene was contrary to an officer fearing for his safety, the report said. De Bruin apparently turned his back to the woman and exhibited opposite behavior of what an officer trained to act with his safety in mind would do, the investigation report stated.

At the end of his shift, De Bruin submitted an activity tracking system report for approval without recording that he'd searched the woman during the stop. That's also against CHP policy, the investigation report said.

Later, investigators concluded that De Bruin later altered the report to include the search.

De Bruin told investigators that he shut off the dash camera during the stop because he believed it was complete but realized there was still paperwork left. De Bruin said not turning it back on was a mistake.

According to the report, De Bruin said he failed to initially report the search because he forgot and later changed it to be accurate.

"I just want to say that I didn't break any laws that night; certainly not sexual assault," De Bruin told investigators.

Hoffmann maintains that his client is innocent. "We will prove that (evidence) at trial," he said.

___

(c)2021 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)

Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.