Bullhead City cop appears in court on sex charge with busted lip

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A Bullhead City police sergeant charged with sex assaults on both sides of the Colorado River sported a bloodied and swollen lip when he showed up for his arraignment Thursday in Mohave County Superior Court.

Jesse Hoag, 37, intimated that he suffered retaliatory violence connected to rape allegations.

“Take a look at my face,” Hoag told Judge Derek Carlisle. He said he was concerned about the safety of himself and his family.

Hoag declined to provide details after the hearing but said he also suffered a rib injury during a recent assault.

Carlisle granted Hoag’s request to continue his Arizona arraignment while the officer, who is on paid leave, tries to secure legal counsel.

Hoag pledged to clear his name.

“I’ve been smeared through the newspaper,” Hoag said in Court. “There’s more to the story that will come out.”

Hoag is charged in Arizona with the rape of a 21-year-old woman after they shared drinks and left a Laughlin bar together, driving into Arizona on Oct. 3. The woman, who aspires to be a police officer, was taking criminal justice courses taught by Hoag at Mohave Community College.

Hoag was on paid leave from the police department and under criminal investigation when another woman said he tried to sexually assault her. Las Vegas police arrested him Oct. 22 in that case, in which a woman said Hoag tried to rape her in his vehicle outside the same Laughin bar where he and the first woman shared drinks.