A Fijian security officer is in custody in Santa Rosa, California after he allegedly pretended to be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and sexually assaulting a woman.
According to Santa Rosa Police Department, earlier this month, a woman reported being a victim of a violent sexual assault.
She told officers that while sleeping in her vehicle in the 90 block of Montgomery Drive in early July, a man identified himself as “police” and threatened to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as he forced his way into her vehicle.
They say the woman stated the man was wearing a uniform and had a badge.
The man, identified later as Peni Cere, a 42-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, then proceeded to allegedly sexually assault her.
The victim said she was scared to report the incident due to the threat of ICE being contacted, but was convinced to file the report by a supportive family member.
Santa Rosa PD says with the assistance of the brave victim, they were able to identify Cere.
They also learned Cere was employed as a uniformed security guard at various locations in Santa Rosa and often worked night shifts.
After a two-day investigation, Santa Rosa Police located and detained Cere without incident in a College Avenue parking lot.
He was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on charges of attempted rape and threatening deportation to commit sexual assault, with bail set at US$250,000.
Santa Rosa PD says based on the boldness of Cere’s alleged actions, and the fact he identified himself as “police” and threatened the victim he would report her to ICE, they believe there may be more unidentified victims who have been too scared to come forward.
They encourage all victims and witnesses of crimes to come forward, regardless of immigration status.
Santa Rosa PD says Pursuant to the California Values Act (SB 54), the Santa Rosa Police Department is prohibited from assisting in federal immigration enforcement efforts, including investigations, detentions, or arrests based solely on an individual's immigration status.
They say their policy goes even further by explicitly prohibiting officers from inquiring about a person’s immigration status or cooperating with ICE enforcement actions.
