SACRAMENTO —
A former California Highway Patrol officer has entered a plea agreement in relation to a case of sexual battery.
Jeffery Closson, 47, was sentenced to 60 days with ten days mandatory in-custody time and three years informal probation Friday afternoon. Last July Closson was arrested after accusations surfaced of Closson, a then 25-year CHP veteran, allegedly inappropriately touching 22-year-old Ryan Garcia, a disabled man.
Closson agreed to plea to two counts of battery, instead of one count, in order to not have to register as a sex offender.
The act allegedly occurred on July 20 inside a Macy’s bathroom in Arden Fair Mall. While off-duty, Closson allegedly touched Garcia inappropriately while touching himself.
Closson was booked into Sacramento County Jail on two misdemeanor charges, but was released on $5,000 bail. The CHP conducted its own internal investigation and later dismissed Closson from his position.
Garcia was disabled at age 15 after suffering a brain injury in a catastrophic car accident.
Ruben Dominguez filed this report.