HOUSTON --
A Houston Police Department officer has been accused of sexually assaulting women while he was on duty.
Prosecutors said Abraham Joseph, 27, was indicted on two counts of aggravated sexual assault on Thursday.
Houston police said the Special Crimes Division was notified on Jan. 2, that a woman said a uniformed HPD officer sexually assaulted her.
After an investigation, the Special Crimes Division and Internal Affairs Division said there was sufficient cause to immediately relieve Joseph of his duties the same day.
"This man was a police officer who violated the public's trust and dishonored his badge," District Attorney Pat Lykos said. "He used his status as a public servant to sexually assault women. HPD Chief Charles McClellan has been extremely cooperative in this investigation, and we will continue to work together to ensure that the citizens of Houston and Harris County can trust and rely on the men and women in uniform."
Joseph is scheduled to appear in court next week for arraignment.
Prosecutors are asking for Joseph be held on $500,000 bond.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Joseph worked southwest patrol for HPD. He joined the department in July 2009.
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