In the trial of former San Diego police officer Anthony Arevalos, an accuser took the stand as well as the police investigator who discovered two pairs of women's panties in the ex-cop's locker.
Arevalos faces 21 felony counts, including assault under color of authority, after at least seven women claimed the former officer molested or abused them during traffic stops.
Arevalos is accused of brokering deals with female drivers during traffic stops and asking for their panties in exchange for not citing them or, in one case, asking to see proof a woman’s pubic hair was manicured according to court documents obtained by NBCSanDiego.
Detective Jamal Pasha, testifying for the prosecution, explained Monday how he found two pairs of woman's panties when he searched Arevalos's police locker as part of the investigation.
One pair of panties was black lace, the other was blue with the words "live for pink" on them.
After the department's crime lab tested the panties', investigators found DNA on the black pair belonged to a friend of Arevalos', not one of the victims. DNA from the blue panties matched neither the victim nor Arevalos's friend.
One of the alleged victims, identified in court proceedings as Danielle F., took the stand Monday and testified she was in "panic mode" when Arevalos handcuffed her outside the Voyeur nightclub on Jan. 14.
She was stopped by Arevalos on 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp around 1 a.m.
As they drove to the women's jail, she told him she had nothing to offer.
She said Arevalos at least twice asked her what she had to "offer" him, and specifically said women sometimes offer him things so he will help them. She testified she "assumed he was talking, like, something sexually" but didn't consider "offering" him anything because she wanted to "keep my dignity."
Under cross-examination, Arevalos' attorney, Gretchen von Helms asked Danielle F. if she had tried to bargain with the then-officer in order to get out of legal trouble.
The alleged victim, a cocktail server, admitted she had offered free drinks for Arevalos if he would let her off.
"You made the offer, 'Hey, I'll trade you, I'll trade you a free drink for not getting this ticket, fair to say," asked the former officer's attorney.
Danielle F. testified she consumed vodka, rum, tequila, gin, raspberry vodka and peach Schnapps the night of the incident.
The defense reminded the jury that Danielle's blood alcohol level was at least .11, well over the legal limit.
Several of those alleged victims have already filed claims or lawsuits against the police department, seeking payment for that alleged sexual abuse.
In opening statements, prosecutor Sherry Thompson told jurors Arevolos preyed on female DUI suspects, offering to let them go without arrest if they gave him their undergarments.
Arevalos is also accused of groping several women, when he put them in his patrol car, or walked them into the police station.
Seven of the alleged female victims are expected to testify, along with an undercover police officer.
The 41-year-old former officer who was fired in March faces 19 years in prison if convicted.
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