DFW.com
San Antonio – A San Antonio police officer was convicted Wednesday of violating the civil rights of a transsexual who said the officer raped and beat her during a traffic stop.
The jury found that Officer Dean Gutierrez’s conduct violated Gabriel Bernal’s rights through aggravated sexual assault. A sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 1. The felony carries a sentence of up to life in prison and as much as $250,000 in fines, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Although the names of sexual assault victims are usually withheld, Bernal has consented to have her name made public. Bernal goes by the name of Starlight and prefers to be addressed as a woman, the San Antonio Express-News reported.