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TAMPA — Investigators say Edwin Nieves pretended to be a police officer and threatened to take away a pregnant woman's children and notify immigration authorities unless she had sex with him.
Nieves, a 38-year-old from Tampa, faces charges of felony kidnapping, impersonating an officer and aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, jail records show. He was held in lieu of $59,500 bail, records show.
Police say Nieves, who lives at 10608 N 52nd St. in Temple Terrace, came to the woman's house on the 700 block of E Forrest Avenue just after noon July 5.
Investigators say he pulled up in a black, two-door car, walked up to the woman and said he was a police officer.
The Times is not identifying the woman because of the nature of the crime.
Nieves — wearing police attire including a police utility belt, radio and silver badge — told her she was being taken into custody because of immigration violations, and he threatened to notify the Department of Children and Families to remove her kids, police say.
The woman got into Nieves' car. They drove a few blocks, and Nieves told the woman he would not take her into custody if she had sex with him, police say.
Nieves then began to fondle the woman, police say. The woman, who is seven months pregnant, then persuaded Nieves to take her home "so she could clean up" before sex, police say.
He ordered her to meet him in 30 minutes, police say.
Instead, the woman's relatives went to the spot and got his license plate number before he drove away, police say. When police located him, he was dressed in a police uniform.
State records show that he is licensed as a security officer. He has no Florida criminal record, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Officers started an investigation that ended Monday morning when Nieves, again dressed in his fake police uniform, was arrested at his home.
Because he was arrested wearing his fake police attire, investigators think Nieves has more victims who may be reluctant to come forward.
Police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said anytime someone threatens deportation, "by all means call 911."
News researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at vansickle@sptimes.com or 813-226-3373.
[Last modified: Jul 18, 2008 11:01 AM]
Comments on this article
by wazzamattaU
Jul 18, 2008 11:01 AM
Wait a minute..... WHY was she afraid of being deported? WHO paid for the child care? WHAT is happening to our border security?
by Jimmy B
Jul 16, 2008 7:50 AM
I've heard of real cops doing this, but fakes ones?
by jan
Jul 15, 2008 5:23 PM
Joetampa...he wasn't a REAL cop. Most real cops I know are decent, hard-working folks...as are soldiers, emergency personnel, etc...who just want to give back to society. If that's being on some kind of power trip, then more power to 'em.
by joe tampa
Jul 15, 2008 1:30 PM
Most people fascinated with authority love the power and control of being a cop; they don't become police officers to just earn a living. We must watch these people very carefully because their ambition knows no limits. History's examples: Fascists
by Ronnie
Jul 15, 2008 9:57 AM
Why are didn't you publish his photo so that others can see him. Maybe other victims will come forward.
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