Cop Who Got Light Sentence After Rape Allegations Not in the Clear

Curtis Arganbright faces 10 years on new federal charge of assaulting woman in custody
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 22, 2019 1:15 PM CDT
Cop Who Got 90 Days After Rape Allegations Not in the Clear
Curtis Arganbright   (Broomfield Police)

A former Denver-area police officer who served 90 days in jail after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in his custody could still end up in a federal prison. Former Westminster police officer Curtis Arganbright faces up to 10 years in prison on a new charge of violating the woman's civil rights, the US Attorney's Office for Colorado said Monday. The 36-year-old woman had been caught stealing medical supplies from the emergency room of Westminster's St. Anthony Hospital, where she'd arrived to be treated for chronic alcohol abuse in August 2017. However, hospital staff said they wouldn't press charges if a police officer made sure the woman got home safely, reports the Washington Post.

On the ensuing ride, Arganbright pulled over, ordered the woman to pull down her pants, put her in handcuffs, and forced her to perform sex acts, according to court documents. He also allegedly warned the woman, "Better not tell anyone about this," per KDVR. Investigators later found DNA evidence on the victim and Arganbright's patrol car, reports the Denver Channel. But Arganbright, originally charged with sexual assault, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of unlawful sexual contact with a woman and official misconduct and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and four years probation, per the Denver Post. With outrage mounting, the US Attorney's Office said the FBI was continuing to investigate as of July. (More rape stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X