On November 7, 2022 Judge David Pereda found defendant Erick Rossi guilty of one misdemeanor count of 243.4(e)(1) after a bench trial.
On October 24, 2021, the victim woke up to unwanted sexual advances from the defendant. He was kissing her, touched her bare breast, and slid his hand down her pants. The victim was asleep at a friend’s house on her couch.
When she woke up to the defendant’s unwanted sexual advances, she sat up and yelled at him. She got off the couch and alerted a friend regarding the incident. Livermore Police were called.
The victim sent the defendant’s girlfriend messages on social media, which were provided to police. Witnesses present confirmed that they were sleeping and woken up by the victim yelling at Rossi.
Rossi denied the allegations, and said he had grabbed the victim to make room on the couch for himself. He was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the offense.
The defendant is expected to be sentenced on Monday, November 14, 2022 and faces 90 days in the county jail and sex offender registration pursuant to PC 290.
DDA Victoria Carter prosecuted the case, with aide from Inspectors Pickett, Rhee, and Elder.