A retired Garden Grove police sergeant, Charles William Starnes III, formally entered a plea of not guilty on Friday to serious felony charges. These charges relate to the alleged sexual assault of two women in separate cases spanning over a decade. Starnes was taken into custody on a warrant issued Thursday and made his appearance in a Santa Ana jail courtroom to enter his plea.
The charges against Starnes were officially filed on October 16. Prosecutors have accused him of committing several felonies. These include one count of kidnapping to commit a sex offense, one count of sexual penetration by foreign object, one count of sexual penetration with an intoxicating substance, and one count of assault with the intent to commit a sex offense. Each of these specific counts is classified as a felony.
Brian Gurwitz, the attorney representing Starnes, provided a statement regarding the charges. As reported by a local news report, Gurwitz communicated that Mr. Starnes "categorically denies the charges." Gurwitz added that his client is eager for the truth to be presented in a courtroom.
Prosecutors have presented allegations concerning two distinct incidents. The first alleged sexual assault is said to have occurred in March 2007. According to prosecutors, Starnes sexually assaulted another officer at a bar situated in Stanton. The prosecutors’ claims further detail that he allegedly dragged the woman out of the bar, and the assault continued until two fellow officers intervened to stop the incident.
The second set of allegations brought forth by prosecutors dates to March 2020. In this case, Starnes stands accused of sexually assaulting a civilian co-worker within the police department. Prosecutors stated that this alleged incident transpired as the two individuals were traveling back from a party at a Long Beach bar. Their stated destination was the Garden Grove Police Department Stress Release Center, which was further described by prosecutors as an establishment, specifically a bar, intended for officers and operated by a police union.
It was also noted by prosecutors that Starnes' retirement from his position occurred while he was actively under investigation for sexual harassment. This retirement took place amidst the ongoing investigation.
Starnes is scheduled for his next court appearance, which will be a pretrial and bail review hearing. This upcoming hearing is set to occur on Tuesday at the West Justice Center, located in Westminster.
