Former Nogales Police Officer Convicted of Sexual Assault, Kidnapping

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Nov. 14, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that former Nogales Police Officer Ramon Borbon, 40, of Nogales, was convicted of Sexual Assault, a Class 2 felony, Kidnapping, a Class 2 felony, Sexual Abuse, a Class 5 felony and Obstructing a Criminal Investigation, a Class 5 felony, in Pima County Superior Court yesterday.

The sexual assault and kidnapping charges stem from a September 2005 incident in which Borbon, while in uniform, knowingly restrained a 19-year-old Nogales woman with the intent to inflict harm and then sexually assaulted her.

The sexual abuse and obstructing a criminal investigation charges stem from an August 2005 incident in which Borbon, while in uniform, forced a 16-year-old girl to touch his genitals. He then threatened the young woman to prevent her from reporting the incident to authorities.

Borbon’s 14-day trial was held in Tucson. The jury deliberated five hours before reaching its decision. The jury also ruled that the defendant qualified for an aggravated sentence of imprisonment because he committed the offenses while acting as a police officer for the City of Nogales.

The case was tried in Pima County Superior Court following a mistrial in Santa Cruz County Superior Court in May 2008. The mistrial occurred when one of jurors allegedly claimed to know one of the witnesses and have reason to doubt the witness’s veracity. A Santa Cruz Superior Court judge ordered the case moved to Pima County, citing the case’s media exposure in Santa Cruz County.

Borbon is currently in custody. He sentencing is scheduled for December 12 in Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Assistant Attorneys General Kimberly H. Ortiz and Michael Jette prosecuted this case.

For additional information, contact Anne Hilby at (602) 542-8019.