Nicolas Paloma, 29, was arrested Tuesday and was charged with sexual battery by a law enforcement officer and false imprisonment, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.
Paloma, who has been with the Clearwater Police Department since 2018, allegedly activated the lights in his unmarked vehicle at about 2:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday to stop a 32-year-old woman for allegedly jaywalking. Paloma allegedly told the woman that she also could be charged with disorderly conduct, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Clearwater police Chief Eric Gandy said that the victim entered Paloma’s vehicle. He added the officer offered to take the woman back to her hotel and allegedly said he would “take care” of the charges against her by “doing things for him,” according to WFTS-TV.
— Kylie Jones Fox 13 (@kyliejonesontv) October 17, 2023
RIGHT NOW: The @myclearwaterPD Chief announces the arrest of Officer Nicolas Paloma.
He’s charged with false imprisonment and sexual battery. The Chief says the incident stemmed from a traffic stop involving a pedestrian early Sunday morning. Details on @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/csZmPwvz6o
