Arraignment delayed for YPD officer Elkins
‘More investigation is needed’ in sexual assault case, says DA spokeswoman in San Diego
Monday’s arraignment for a Yuma police officer who was arrested earlier this month in San Diego on suspicion of sexual assault did not take place, according to a San Diego County district attorney’s spokeswoman.
Although he has not been formally charged with any offenses, 33-yearold Jared Elkins was originally booked into the San Diego County jail on suspicion of rape by force or fear, forced oral copulation, misdemeanor sexual battery and making a criminal threat.
Elkins was released on $100,000 bail the day after his arrest and was ordered to appear in court on Monday. He has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
San Diego County district attorney’s spokeswoman Tanya Sierra said that the hearing, which was to be held in the downtown Superior Courthouse, had been delayed and that the case remained under review.
“That means more investigation is needed,” Sierra said.
Sierra added that the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office could still file charges against Elkins, and if that happens he would be sent a summons with a date to appear back in court.
Elkins, who was off-duty at the time, was arrested the morning of Sept. 15 in the Kensington area of San Diego.
According to Lt. Scott Wahl of the San Diego Police Department, officers responded to the 4700 block
of Marlborough Drive shortly before 4:30 a.m. that morning in regard to a report of a sexual assault.
The San Diego Police Department, which is investigating the incident, has not provided any additional details about what happened. The
Yuma Police Department has no part in it and is not commenting anymore on the incident or the officer’s arrest.
A seven-year veteran, Elkins’ family has a long history with YPD. His late grandfather was Police Chief Powell Elkins, who served from 1969 to 1980, and his father, Lt. Dan Elkins, was killed in the line of duty in 1995 when they discovered an undercover deputy with the Yuma
County Sheriff’s Office burglarizing the offices of the Southwest Border Alliance.
He was also given his father’s patrol badge — No. 51 — to wear shortly after joining the force.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.