Cop Asked For Sex After Stopping Woman For Jaywalking: Clearwater PD

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater police officer is facing felony charges after authorities said he requested sex from a woman he stopped for jaywalking in exchange for not writing her a ticket.

Nicolas Paloma was charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment in connection with the incident that occurred on Clearwater Beach early Sunday morning. He was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Pinellas County Jail, Clearwater police confirmed.

According to authorities, Paloma was on duty when he stopped a 32-year-old woman for jaywalking in the roundabout area of the beach just after 2:30 a.m. Police said he offered the woman a ride before requesting and engaging in sex acts with her in exchange for the ride and not citing her for jaywalking or disorderly conduct.

Police learned about the incident when they responded to an argument involving two women at a beach hotel, authorities said. According to police, the argument was between the victim and her friend and occurred after the incident with Paloma.

Police said officers immediately launched an investigation and alerted agency officials. Police Chief Eric Gandy ordered a criminal investigation, and the Crimes Against Children and Families unit took over the case.

"What this officer did is reprehensible," Gandy said in a statement. "He's someone who took an oath to enforce the law, not break the law in an egregious way while wearing a badge and a uniform."

Paloma has been an officer with the Clearwater Police Department since 2018 and has no previous disciplinary history. He was placed on administrative leave, police said.