Ex-West Jordan police officer pleads guilty in sex case with suicidal woman

SALT LAKE CITY — Just last week, ex-West Jordan police officer Nelson Tuatagaloa stood before a judge and predicted in a confident voice that he was ready for his three-day jury trial to go forward.

But on Tuesday when the trial was supposed to begin, the former West Jordan police officer choked back tears as he admitted that he sexually mistreated a suicidal woman he was supposed to be taking to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

Tuatagaloa, 35, had been charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of custodial sexual relations, a third-degree felony, for engaging in sexual activity twice with the woman in his squad car in the parking lot of Jordan Valley Hospital, 3584 W. 9000 South in West Jordan.

After a description of what took place was read aloud in court, 3rd District Judge Judith Atherton asked, "Mr. Tuatagaloa, is this what you did?"

There was a long silence as the emotional Tuatagaloa composed himself.

"Yes," he replied softly.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report and set March 25 for sentencing.

Tuatagaloa was on duty Sept. 30, 2008, when he and another officer responded to a call regarding the woman, who was sitting in her car, distraught over family and personal problems, and threatening to kill herself. She had been drinking and had a gun in the car.

She was handcuffed at the scene and initially agreed to go to the hospital.

Tuatagaloa put her in the front of his squad car and took her to the hospital, according to court records, but eventually he took the handcuffs off, drove to a dark part of the hospital parking lot and twice engaged in sex acts with the woman without her consent.

West Jordan Police Sgt. Drew Sanders said Tuatagaloa was placed on administrative leave as soon as this incident was reported and Tuatagaloa later resigned from the department.

Outside the courtroom, prosecutor Michaela Andruzzi said she was satisfied with the plea agreement.

"I do think it's appropriate for the victim to have that closure," she said. "It's in the best interest of justice."

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com