Deputy arrested on charges of lewd, lascivious behavior on a disabled person

An Orange County Deputy was in jail Tuesday night after he was accused of molesting a disabled woman.  The victim said she was scared for her life because Deputy William Martinez was in full uniform and armed with a gun at the time.

Martinez is facing felony charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a disabled woman.  The Sheriff's Office said Martinez met her days before doing a call for a well-being check.

"As I understand he was there previously to assist on another case at the residence she made a call for," said Orange County Sheriff's Office Capt. Angelo Nieves.

Investigators said it was 2:30a.m. Halloween morning when Martinez decided on his own to pay her another visit.

"His follow up was inappropriate in this case.  His response was outside the realm of proper protocol," said Nieves.

The arrest report showed Martinez who was on duty and in uniform repeatedly touched the victim against her will while "attempting to persuade an intimate encounter."

The victim claimed Martinez would not take no for an answer and groped her private parts through her clothes.  He even offered her "help to take a shower" or to "help her lie down in her bedroom."

"This is not representative of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.  We acted decisively and immediately when we found out about the information," said Nieves.

Martinez is suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.  He could be stripped of his badge and spend 5 years in jail.