Joshua Davidson, Sexually Assaulting Woman in Custody, Alabama 2020

Former deputy sheriff Joshua Davidson, 32, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty in Dallas County, Alabama.

According to the superseding information and plea documents, on January 30, 2020, Davidson placed the victim in custody and drove her down a dark road to a desolate location where she performed oral sex on him against her will. The victim immediately reported the assault and was in fear that Davidson would shoot her if she did not cooperate.

“Law enforcement officials who sexually assault women and those in their custody will and must be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to take allegations of sexual assault seriously, and vigorously prosecute those who violate the civil rights of people in their custody and prey on vulnerable victims.”

“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.”

Davidson faces sentencing on August 25 and is being prosecuted by 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. The FBI Mobile Field Office investigated the case.

The exact criminal charges against Davidson are not specified in the press release, but it is clear that he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty as a deputy sheriff.

The people of Dallas County and the Southern District of Alabama deserve to have their rights protected by law enforcement officials who uphold the highest standards of integrity and respect for the law. It is only through the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the prosecution of individuals who abuse their power that we can ensure that justice is served and that those who commit crimes are held accountable for their actions.

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