A 49-year-old former cop from California, Richard Ray Ramirez, who was already on parole, got himself arrested again over the weekend. He's now looking at a possible life sentence because he's accused of holding his girlfriend against her will and brutally beating her.
The charges against Ramirez include one count of torture, one count of injuring a significant other with a prior conviction, and one count of kidnapping, according to authorities.
Prosecutors claim that Ramirez, a former sergeant from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, attacked the woman with the intent to cause severe pain and suffering for reasons like revenge, extortion, or persuasion.
The incident unfolded when officers from the Visalia Police Department responded to a call about a distressed adult female near McAuliff Street and Walnut Avenue, which is about 50 miles southeast of Fresno, California. The 26-year-old woman informed them that she had been kidnapped and assaulted by Ramirez, who was also present at the scene when the officers arrived.
Police noted visible signs of physical abuse on the victim, including a broken nose and bruises around her neck. She had also suffered a broken wrist after Ramirez allegedly threw her out of a truck.
Ramirez was apprehended on the spot. While he was being handcuffed, he claimed, "Dude, nothing happened," but the victim told the police that she had been dating him for about four months before the violent incident. She mentioned that Ramirez had been drinking alcohol and using some controlled substances.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Ramirez in a press release. They highlighted his prior violent criminal convictions, which could impact his potential punishment. These charges include having prior serious felony convictions, being on parole during the crimes, and causing great bodily injury under circumstances of domestic violence.
Furthermore, during the alleged incident, Ramirez was already on parole due to a 2021 conviction for domestic violence. In that case, he was found guilty of multiple charges, including dissuading a witness, stalking, battery, and corporal injury to a significant other. There were three victims in that case.
Although Ramirez was initially sentenced to more than five years in prison, he was released after serving about two years because of time served and other in-custody credits.
Ramirez appeared in court for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the new charges.
He was ordered to remain in custody without bail until his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for October 19. If convicted, he could face a maximum life sentence.
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