CLEARWATER -- A police officer is off the job and facing criminal charges.
Clearwater police chief Eric Gandy announced the Tuesday arrest of 29-year-old Nicolas Paloma. The five-year veteran of the Clearwater force was placed on leave earlier this week after a 32-year-old visitor reported that he had committed a sexual assault. Paloma is in jail, charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment.
According to Gandy, Paloma spotted the woman jaywalking early Sunday morning at the Clearwater Beach roundabout. He pulled over and told the victim she could avoid charges if she "did things." Gandy says Paloma tried to keep his supervisors from tracking him as he drove the woman around the beach, finally dropping her off near her hotel. Gandy calls the case "infuriating" and a "betrayal of trust." Paloma has been on administrative leave since the chief became aware of the incident later Sunday.
Paloma joined the force in 2018 and had no prior incidents on his record.
Detectives are investigating to see if there are other victims, assisted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Photo: Canva/CPD