Deputy arrested in connection with sexual assault

By: JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:48 PM PDT ∞

LAKE ELSINORE ---- A Riverside County sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexual misconduct while on duty, authorities said.

John Wayne Leseberg, 42, has been with the Sheriff's Department for 15 years and was assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station, said Sgt. Earl Quinata, spokesman for the department.

"He was placed on paid administrative leave on March 28, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation," Quinata said.

A warrant had been issued for Leseberg's arrest and he turned himself in to investigators at the sheriff's Temecula station.

The veteran deputy was then arrested and booked at Southwest Detention Center.

Leseberg was arrested on suspicion of two counts of sexual battery, two counts of assault by an officer under color of authority and one count of rape by use of a foreign object, according to jail records. He was released Wednesday after posting $50,000 bail, records state.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in November 2004 while Leseberg was on duty, said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney's office.

No further information about what Leseberg is accused of doing was released Wednesday.

Wyatt said the case against Leseberg is still under investigation.

"He is facing these charges and was arrested based on the warrant. The charges have not yet been filed in court," Wyatt said. "We have until his next court date to file charges."

Leseberg is scheduled to be arraigned May 24 at Southwest Justice Center in French Valley.

If he is convicted on the charges alleged, Leseberg faces up to nine years, eight months in state prison, Wyatt said.

Authorities are asking that if anyone has further information, they contact Investigator Darin Gray at (951) 696-3000.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.

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