As West Jordan police officer Nelson Tuatagaloa was kissing a reportedly suicidal woman while on duty last year, he allegedly told investigators he thought to himself: "What are you doing?"
But, according to Tuatagaloa's statement, he continued kissing the woman, and went on to touch her breasts and genital area before dropping her at a hospital for a mental evaluation.
Based on testimony Friday from Salt Lake County district attorney investigator Travis Peterson and the alleged victim, 3rd District Judge Sheila McCleve ordered Tuatagaloa to stand trial on two counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.
If convicted, Tuatagaloa, 34, -- who no longer is working for the police department -- could face
Nelson Tuatagaloa up to 15 years in prison on each count. A scheduling hearing was set for Feb. 27.
The alleged victim testified that while she never said no or pushed Tuatagaloa away the night of Sept. 30, she did not want or welcome his advances. The woman said she felt she had to do everything Tuatagaloa wanted because he was a police officer and, based on what she had seen on television shows, he could say or do anything, even kill her.
She testified she had called her estranged husband that night and threatened to kill herself even though she had no intention of committing suicide. She left her house with a handgun but called police after she learned they were looking for her.
Tuatagaloa and another officer arrested her. On the way to a hospital in Tuatagaloa's cruiser, the woman said he held her hand and told her, "You've made a new friend tonight."
As they approached the hospital, the woman saw two friends by the entrance and told Tuatagaloa she didn't want to see them. He responded by pulling over on a darkened side of the building.
Tuatagaloa -- who had accused the woman of being intoxicated by alcohol -- asked to smell her breath, then started kissing her, she testified. The alleged victim said when she put on her seat belt, indicating she was ready to go, he took it off and started kissing her again. He put his hand inside her clothing and touched her breasts, she said.
According to police dispatch times, Tuatagaloa and the woman were parked for about 40 minutes.
The woman said that when she told her friends what had happened, they insisted she tell hospital personnel who notified police.
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