Crime & Safety

LAX Police Officer Sentenced In Sexual Battery Case

A former Los Angeles World Airports police officer convicted of sexually battering a woman while she was waiting to board a flight was sentenced today to four years in state prison.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Suzuki also ordered Michael Wayne Staunton, 56, to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Staunton was convicted Nov. 18 of one count each of assault by a peace officer, sexual battery by restraint and false imprisonment by fraud involving the April 12, 2011, assault while he was on duty at Los Angeles International Airport.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Staunton -- who was stationed at a police podium just inside the screening area for departing passengers -- first approached the 25-year-old woman and made a sexual comment, then later returned and motioned for the woman to follow him, district attorney's officials said.

Staunton used his security access card to take the woman to a storage area where he assaulted her before walking her back to the departure area, the DA's office said.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The woman reported what had happened to her friends, who contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and filed a report.  --City News Service 


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