Updated 02:44 AM EDT, Sat, Apr 20, 2024

Fake Cop Allegedly Coerced Central American Immigrants Into Sex Acts

  • +
  • -
  • Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE

A security guard in San Francisco has been accused of impersonating an officer in order to coerce Central American immigrants into to performing sex acts.

Authorities have stated that they have two victims so far, but since the security guard targeted immigrants who would not come forward out of fear, the victim count could be much higher.

 Bugai, 35, would target poor English-speaking immigrants and threaten to arrest them unless they came back with him to his house. While inside Bugai's house, the victims were drugged or handcuffed and then coerced into sexual acts, authorities say.

According to investigators, Bugai told his victims that they would be arrested and then deported if they reported his behavior to authorities.

With the fear of deportation hung over their heads, it's not clear how many people were victimized by Bugai. There are no timelines yet that indicate how long Bugai was preying on immigrants.

Bugai has a history of impersonating officials. In 1999, Bugai was arrested for impersonating a health care worker at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich.

Bugai is reported to have worn a white lab coat, and even went so far as telling a nurse that a patient's pain medication should be increased.

After his third time posing as a health care worker, Bugai was finally apprehended. He told reporters at the time that he was merely visiting some of his friends in the medical center.

Bugai pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of health care professional title. He served 90 days in jail for the charge, according to Grand Traverse County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg.

According to California online records, Bugai has been a licensed security guard in California since 2002. Bugai is allowed to carry a gun as well as a baton.

Russ Heimerich, a spokesman for the Department of Consumer Affairs says it is unclear how Bugai was able to become a security guard after having a misdemeanor impersonation charge.

"We would look at it and think, 'If this guy is impersonating people, do we want him to be a security guard?' " Heimerich said.

Authorities say that Bugai was meticulous in his impersonation of a police officer.

"He had a uniform with a duty belt, patches, a badge on the uniform shirt," said police Sgt. Albie Esparza. "So if you are new to the country, you would assume they are law enforcement."

Bugai has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. His bail is set at $2 million.

Investigators are urging citizens with additional information about Bugai to come forward.

© 2015 Latin One. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
  • Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE
Close

Curiosidades

Real Time Analytics