Former Claremont cop charged with sex crime on duty

A former police officer from Claremont, California, has been charged with a serious sex crime. Gabriel Arellanes, 32, is accused of forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him while he was on duty. The incident allegedly took place after he arrested her last year. Arellanes is set to appear in court on April 30, 2025. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison and must register as a sex offender. He was arrested on March 14 and released on bond a day later. It is unclear if he has legal representation in his criminal case. The alleged victim, referred to as Jane Doe, has also filed a civil lawsuit against Arellanes and the city of Claremont. Her attorney praised the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for acting on the complaint. He noted that sexual assault claims against police often go unaddressed. The lawsuit details the events leading to the alleged crime. Jane Doe and her partner were in a parked car when Arellanes approached them, saw a glass pipe, and arrested her. While transporting her, he is accused of groping her and later asking for sexual favors at the Pomona police station. After her release, he allegedly drove her to a remote area where the assault occurred. The city learned of the allegations in March 2024 and placed Arellanes on administrative leave. He resigned in January 2025. The Claremont Police Department stated it takes misconduct allegations seriously and emphasizes its commitment to maintaining lawful conduct.