Texas Officer Accused in Assault Fired

Police Chief Greg Allen on Monday fired an El Paso police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty.

Zake Rivera was fired during a termination hearing Monday morning at El Paso Police Headquarters.

Rivera, 29, was with the Police Department for four years and was a patrol officer at the Westside Regional Command.

The Police Department had begun the termination process when Rivera was arrested Feb. 24, accused of sexual assault. After being arrested, he was placed on administrative leave before he was fired.

Rivera, according to a complaint affidavit, forced a woman to perform oral sex on him while responding to a family disturbance call Jan. 23 on the West Side.

Police said the incident occurred while Rivera and another officer interviewed a woman and her husband separately and out of view of each other.

Investigators found biological evidence on the woman's clothing that was a DNA match to Rivera, and he was also identified by the woman in a photo lineup, the affidavit stated. Her name has not been released.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6102.