A Riverside County sheriff’s correctional deputy accused of engaging in sex acts with female inmates on home detention as part of an extortion scheme must stand trial on nearly a dozen felony counts, a judge ruled Thursday.
Christian Phillip Heidecker, 32, of Menifee, was arrested last month following an investigation by the sheriff’s department.
After a two-day preliminary hearing, Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez determined that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for four counts each of extortion and a public official seeking bribes, as well as three counts of witness intimidation.
However, the judge dismissed four counts of attempted penetration with a foreign object and three counts of being a detention officer engaging in sex while on duty.
It is unclear at this time whether the District Attorney’s Office intends to re-file those charges.
Hernandez scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 19 at the Banning Justice Center, with Heidecker’s bail remaining at $200,000. He is currently held at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
Sgt. Steve Brosche of the sheriff’s office said that in August, investigators received a tip about alleged criminal behavior involving Heidecker, who was working in the Alternative Sentencing Program at the Coordinated Custody Management Unit in Banning.
This program allows inmates to serve their sentences on home confinement, wearing ankle monitors to track their movements and ensure compliance with the terms of their sentences.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Heidecker had allegedly abused his position of authority by targeting four female inmates identified in court documents only by their initials: “A.A.,” “A.R.,” “K.P.,” and “O.C.”
The deputy is accused of engaging in unspecified sexual activity with the women while recording videos and taking still images, according to the criminal complaint.
It is unclear what tactics Heidecker allegedly employed to coerce the inmates into complying with his demands.
The complaint states that the defendant then attempted to extort money and property from the victims by using the sexually explicit materials obtained through force and fear.
When it became apparent that one or more of the victims were considering reporting him, Heidecker allegedly attempted to prevent them from doing so, potentially through intimidation, as noted in court documents.
He was arrested without incident in Murrieta on Sept. 15.
Heidecker is currently on administrative leave until the case is resolved.
There is no information available regarding his length of service with the sheriff’s department or in law enforcement.
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