CLEARWATER, Fla. – A Clearwater Police officer has been arrested on two felony charges after a weekend on-duty incident involving a female tourist.
Nicolas Paloma was charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment in connection with the case, which occurred on Clearwater Beach in the early morning hours Sunday.
He is being booked into the Pinellas County Jail after his arrest earlier this afternoon, police say.
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Paloma is accused of stopping a 32-year-old female tourist for jaywalking in the roundabout area of the beach just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
He then offered her a ride and is alleged to have requested and engaged in sex acts with the woman in exchange for the ride and for not citing her for jaywalking or charging her with disorderly conduct.
According to the affidavit, the victim engaged in oral sex with Paloma and felt that she was not free to leave. The report says that Paloma drove the woman around to different spots near the beach for about 30 minutes.
The incident came to light when police responded to an argument involving two women at a beach hotel. That argument was between the victim and her friend and occurred after the incident.
Officers began investigating the case immediately and alerted the chain of command. Chief Eric Gandy ordered an immediate criminal investigation, and detectives from the Crimes Against Children and Families unit took over the investigation.
Detectives worked throughout the day Sunday and Monday on the case, culminating in the criminal charges today.
“What this officer did is reprehensible,” Chief Gandy said. “He’s someone who took an oath to enforce the law, not break the law in an egregious way while wearing a badge and a uniform.”
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Paloma, who has been placed on administrative leave, has worked for the agency since 2018. He has no previous disciplinary history.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information on any similar cases should contact Clearwater Police at 727-562-4385.
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