LAPD officer found not guilty in sex assault case

A jury Friday found a Los Angeles Police Department officer not guilty on all counts stemming from a sexual assault allegation during a Las Vegas vacation last year.

Christian Alex Sanchez, 34, was acquitted on several charges including two counts of sexual assault, which carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Attorney Richard Schonfeld said his client was accused of sexually assaulting a female friend while he was with his wife in Las Vegas in August. Sanchez maintained from the beginning that he was not guilty, and a jury took less than an hour to confirm that, Schonfeld said.

"He's a very nice man," Schonfeld said. "He's got a wife, he's got two little kids, and by bringing these charges against him they've destroyed his life and now he has to rebuild it."

He said Sanchez is still employed with the LAPD, although that department's investigation is ongoing.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.