WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into a rape allegation against a now-former Westminster police officer in a case that saw him sentenced to 90 days in jail in a plea deal with prosecutors, 9Wants to Know has confirmed.
Curtis Arganbright, 41, was originally charged with two counts of sexual assault – both felonies. But he struck a deal with prosecutors in which the felonies were dismissed and he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact and official misconduct, both misdemeanors.
A judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail and four years on probation.
The allegations centered on the report from a woman who had been accused of stealing medical supplies from St. Anthony North Health Campus. Arganbright responded to the report, according to a federal search warrant, told the woman she would not be charged and agreed to give her a ride home.
During that drive, she alleged that Arganbright drove her to a secluded area, handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, according to a search warrant on file in U.S. District Court.
Doug Jewell, Arganbright’s attorney, declined to comment early Monday evening.
The warrant was drafted by an FBI agent assigned to investigate civil rights violations – and specifically sexual misconduct – committed “under color of law.”
The investigation was first reported by the Colorado Sun.
The warrant seeks permission to search an FBI evidence locker that holds numerous pieces of evidence in the case – including Arganbright’s police uniforms and other clothing, weapons, duty belt, and other belongings. Arganbright originally gave both oral and verbal permission for investigators to seize those items but revoked that consent June 27, leading to the warrant allowing the FBI to take possession of the items.
The warrant makes it clear that FBI agents plan to use them to, among other things, “corroborate the victim’s account of the assault.”
Contact 9NEWS reporter Kevin Vaughan with tips about this or any story: kevin.vaughan@9news.com or 303-871-1862.
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