A former deputy sheriff with the Dallas County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty, officials stated.
According to the superseding information and plea documents, on Jan. 30, 2020, Joshua Davidson, 32, while on duty as a Dallas County Deputy Sheriff, placed the victim in custody and drove her down a dark road to a desolate location where the victim performed oral sex on him against her will.
The victim, who reported the assault immediately, feared that Davidson would shoot her if she did not cooperate.
“The people of Dallas County and the Southern District of Alabama deserve better than to have their rights violated by someone sworn to protect them,” said U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello for the Southern District of Alabama. “Working with our federal, state and local partners, we will continue to bring to justice law enforcement officers who become criminals themselves.”
“All law enforcement personnel who take an oath to protect and serve the American people must be held to a higher standard,” said Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the FBI Mobile Field Office. “FBI Mobile remains committed to holding those who do not meet this standard accountable for their actions, especially those who wear the badge.”
Sentencing is set for Aug. 25.
The FBI Mobile Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Arrington for the Southern District of Alabama and Trial Attorneys Maura White and MarLa Duncan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.