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Ex-cop in extortion case pleads guilty, gets 2-year sentence
A former police officer charged with extorting $300 from a motorist pleaded guilty yesterday as part of a plea deal and was slapped with a two-year prison sentence.
Travis Dela Cruz Iglecias, 25, pleaded guilty to theft by extortion and misconduct in office.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho sentenced him to six years in prison, all suspended except for the first two years, which he has to serve without the possibility of parole. Iglecias got seven days of credit for time served.
After completing the prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised probation.
“It is obvious to this court that Travis Iglecias lacks the character to be in law enforcement,” Camacho said.
He said as this conviction will mean that Iglecias will never again carry a badge and wear a police uniform, although it would be unfair to criticize the whole Department of Public Safety for the action of one person.
“It is absolutely clear that the blame for these crimes belongs to Travis Iglecias,” the judge said.
Iglecias was ordered to pay $300 in restitution to the victim, $300 in probation fees, and $25 in court costs. He was required to perform 500 hours of community service.
Police said that Iglecias, at the time a police officer, pulled over a vehicle being driven by Li Yong Rong and threatened to put her in jail if she would not have sex with him or pay him $300. After the woman allegedly paid him $300, Iglecias released her from custody at her house.
Defense counsel Matthew Holley served as counsel for Iglecias.
The jury trial was supposed to commence on Nov. 13, 2017.
