The Bakersfield Police officer arrested last week on sexual extortion accusations is under investigation in an unrelated case in which a woman said he forcibly raped her while investigating a burglary in her home, according to reports obtained by 17 News.
The woman said Officer Patrick Steven Lefler, 27, was on duty and in uniform when he raped her and sexually assaulted her with his baton in her home, according to reports.
Lefler is on paid administrative leave after his arrest July 18 on unrelated allegations he refused to return stolen property to a burglary victim unless she had sex with him. His fellow officers booked him into the county jail on charges of possession of stolen property, making a false report, and making annoying phone calls.
Lefler has bailed out of jail in that case, and no charges have yet been filed. No arrest has been made in the second case, and no charges have been filed. Lefler could not be reached for comment last week or late this afternoon, and a police department spokesman refused to comment this afternoon.
The second alleged victim came forward after the first case became public last week, according to reports.
That second victim lives near Highland High School and was the victim of a burglary in June, reports said. She called police and Lefler was sent to make a report, according to documents.
She told investigators last week she admitted Lefler to her home, where he forced her onto her bed, ordered her to remove her clothing and raped her and then sexually assaulted her with his baton, according to court documents.
She said she tried to fight the officer, but he overpowered her, according to documents.
She said she did not immediately report the crime because, according to court documents, she feared for her safety.
After interviewing the woman, detectives served a search warrant at Lefler's home. There, according to documents, they seized several batons for DNA testing as well several police uniforms,
They also took a saliva swab for DNA from Lefler.
A detective said he confirmed through BPD dispatch records that Lefler was at the woman’s home during the time she said she was assaulted.
Lefler has been with the department since 2009.
