Jury finds ex-Arizona officer guilty of raping relative in California

PHOENIX — A former Arizona officer was convicted Wednesday of raping a relative in California.

Jared Elkins, who used to serve with the Yuma Police Department, was found guilty of one count each of forcible rape and sexual penetration by force and two counts of oral copulation by force.

But the jury acquitted Elkins of four other counts: Rape, oral copulation and sexual penetration of an intoxicated person, according to Times of San Diego.

Elkins, 34, was on trial for raping and sexually assaulting his then-wife’s 23-year-old cousin last year while he was vacationing in San Diego.

The prosecutor said Elkins went into the woman’s room in the middle of the night, forced sex acts on her, then raped her. He also threatened to kill her if she screamed.

Deputy District Attorney Lisa Fox, according to the Times of San Diego, said the victim waited until she thought Elkins was asleep in another room, then told her mother, who called authorities.

Elkins testified that he believed the sex was consensual and said he did not threaten to kill her. He said she came on to him by cuddling on the sofa before the encounter.

The defense argued that the woman may have made up the rape scenario after having regrets.

Elkins was arrested in southern California last year on the charges, but Yuma police did not disclose details of the arrest at the time.

He resigned from the Yuma Police Department shortly after the arrest. He had served seven years on the force.

Elkins faces 14 years in prison. He is set to be sentenced on March 8.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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