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Former Tucson cop accused of human trafficking in southern Arizona

Richard Daniel, 37, was taken into custody Tuesday night in Cochise County on suspicion of human trafficking.

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — A former Tucson police officer is facing human trafficking charges after he was apprehended Tuesday night with five undocumented migrants in his vehicle. 

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office detained 37-year-old Richard D. Daniel near Tombstone after a deputy discovered several immigrants in his car. Daniel was also allegedly armed with multiple weapons, CCSO said.

The passengers were turned over to Border Patrol for processing and Daniel was booked into jail for human trafficking.

Daniel had worked for the Tucson Police Department until he was terminated in 2019 following allegations of misconduct, according to local media reports.

A woman told investigators Daniel forced her to perform oral sex on him in exchange for not taking her to jail on an outstanding warrant. 

Daniel pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct and was placed on probation for three years.

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