New details are emerging about a fired-former Tucson Police
Officer who is now facing felony charges connected to sexually assaulting an
inmate.
There was no answer at former Officer Ben Gaballa's
northwest side home. He is now out on bond after he was arrested Wednesday on
four felony charges including sexual assault and abuse. The victim is a woman
he took to jail for some kind of a family fight.
It's what happened after she was arrested that has Gaballa
on the other side of the law. Police reports Tucson News Now obtained show the
victim stated Gaballa arrested her, they left her home and drove around for
approximately 30 minutes. Gaballa found a place to park behind a Walgreens at
Campbell and Grant and then had her get out of the backseat and uncuffed her,
according to reports.
Part of the report detailing the alleged sex acts is
redacted but at some point, it looks like the victim tried to run away. It goes
on to say "she stated the officer ran after her, there was a slight
struggle." The victim was then booked into jail where she filed the complaint
with correctional officers.
Tucson Police swabbed the patrol car, clothing and other
items the pair had, checking for any evidence.
"Things weren't matching up and they were verifying the
complaints version of events than the officer," said Chief Roberto
Villasenor.
When we caught up with Gaballa last month, he denied these
accusations. Tucson Police Fired him for lying on a report, misrepresenting
facts to his supervisor and mishandling evidence. The report shows detectives
located a small amount of marijuana in a blue glove in Gaballa's duty bag along
with a syringe. It was likely evidence from another case that never got booked.