Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Former CHP Officer Abram Carabajal Accused of Fixing Ticket for Sex


SAN DIEGO

A former California Highway Patrol officer accused of fixing a speeding ticket for a female motorist in exchange for sexual favors pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of perjury, conspiracy to obstruct justice and accepting a bribe.

Abram Anthony Carabajal, 51, of Oceanside, surrendered to authorities on an arrest warrant and was taken into custody after Vista Judge Marshall Hockett set bail at $50,000.

Carabajal faces up to five years and four months in prison if convicted of the felony charges, said Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Dort.

A readiness conference was scheduled for April 6 and a preliminary hearing for April 8.

Carabajal, a 26-year veteran, resigned from the CHP during the investigation, authorities said.

The officer pulled over Shirin Zarrindej for speeding on March 12, 2008, and, at some point, developed a relationship with her, prosecutors allege.

Carabajal testified under oath last July that he was not served with a subpoena, so the speeding case against Zarrindej was dismissed, according to Paul Levikow of the District Attorney's office.

Levikow said Carabajal and Zarrindej were seen walking arm-in-arm to a room at the Guesthouse Inn in Oceanside right after the court appearance. The woman later conceded the two had sex, he said.

Zarrindej, 47, faces felony charges of subordination of perjury, giving a bribe and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

She was arrested Monday in Los Angeles, posted bail and is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on April 13.


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