Medina police officer charged with official misconduct

A Medina police officer has been charged with official misconduct for sexual gratification after he allegedly forced a woman into having sex following a traffic stop on Highway 520 last year.

Prosecutors filed the charge in King County Superior Court against Officer Ismael Gaston Garcia Ramirez, 30, of Issaquah.

According to the charging documents, the woman told police that Ramirez stopped her on Nov. 23, handcuffed her, put her in the back of his patrol car and placed her into custody for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

The woman said the officer told her she was beautiful, put a hand on her and told her not to worry because the charges would go away, the charges allege.

The next day, she said, Ramirez called and they agreed to meet several days later, according to the charges.

They met in a parking lot and went to his home, the woman told police. She said she told him she wouldn't have sex on the first date.

She said he poured her a drink and mentioned that people are afraid of police officers because they have power and authority. He also placed his gun on a table, according to the charges, making her feel intimidated.

During a tour of his home, she said, he pushed her onto a bed and sexually assaulted her after she told him again she didn't want to have sex, according to the charges.

The woman said that was their only meeting in person, but that he called and texted her after the incident.

According to the charging documents, Ramirez ultimately arranged with prosecutors to dismiss the traffic and marijuana charges, saying there were proof problems with the case.

The woman reported the incident to the police in March.

Medina Police Chief Jeff Chen said Ramirez resigned from the department Oct. 17. Chen declined to comment on the case against his former officer.