A Rialto police officer accused of beating and repeatedly sexually assaulting his estranged wife near Corona must stand trial on felony charges, a judge ruled Friday.
Fidel Nunez, 33, was arrested following a Riverside County sheriff’s investigation into the alleged attack 13 months ago at the victim’s home in the Temescal Valley, between Corona and Lake Elsinore.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Ronald Taylor found sufficient evidence was presented at the defendant’s preliminary hearing to warrant a trial on one count each of spousal rape, forcible sodomy and witness intimidation, and two counts each of assault with intent to commit rape, domestic abuse and false imprisonment.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for March 15 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Nunez, who is on paid administrative leave from the police department pending adjudication of his case, is free on $1 million bail.
According to sheriff’s investigators, the attack allegedly happened on Jan. 27, 2018, at the victim’s residence. Sgt. Chris Willison said deputies were called to the location by the officer’s spouse and determined that she was the alleged victim of “domestic violence and sexual assault.”
Nunez was taken into custody at the location without a struggle. He posted bail soon after being booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.
The defendant has no documented prior felony convictions.