STATESVILLE, N.C. – The State Bureau of Investigation charged a former Statesville police officer with sexually assaulting two women during a traffic stop.
Carlos Rios Paz, 35, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault on a female and two counts of sexual battery.
The Statesville Police Chief says the father of three joined the force in June of 2009 and in early October 2010 the Statesville Police Department received a complaint of an alleged improper search of two women that Paz encountered while on patrol.
The Chief says Internal Affairs immediately began an investigation and within days, Rios Paz resigned.
The SBI continued to look into the allegations and on Thursday formally arrested the former officer.
Neighbors tell NewsChannel 36 they are shocked because he’s always been such a family man.
Mary Ann Minnish often has his kids over in her home.
“I’m just in shock. We had an ice cream party the other evening, it’s just hard for me to believe. They are such a nice family,” Minnish said.
According to neighbors, Paz is a preacher locally.
Paz has already been released on bond.
