December 01, 2017 - 2:36 PM
MUSKOGEE, Okla. - A former Oklahoma police officer has pleaded guilty to a federal count of violating the civil rights of a woman he sexually assaulted during a traffic stop.
Jerry Lynn Gragg, 40, entered his plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Muskogee, the Tulsa World reported. He was an officer with the Savanna Police Department in Pittsburg County.
Under a plea agreement, Gragg is required to forfeit his law enforcement certification and comply with federal and state sex offender registration requirements. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence of about eight to 10 years in prison.
Court records show Gragg stopped the woman's vehicle on Jan. 21. Police say she told investigators that Gragg pulled her over for a suspended driver's license and eventually forced her to touch him inappropriately and to perform a sex act.
The woman later filed a complaint against Gragg and provided a stained blouse matching his DNA, court records indicate.
Savanna Police Chief David Spears said Gragg was fired in March for policy and procedural violations. He was initially arrested in June on complaints of forcible sodomy, two counts of sexual battery and accepting a bribe.
Gragg admitted to his acts, including aggravated sexual abuse.
U.S. Magistrate Kimberly E. West has accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentencing investigation report. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2017