Accused West Jordan officer appears in court

A West Jordan police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman made his initial appearance in court Thursday.

Nelson Tuatagaloa, 34, is charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

On Thursday, Tuatagaloa and his attorney, Greg Skordas, waived the reading of his charges in public. Judge Vernice Trease ordered him to have no contact with the victim, her family or witnesses.

Tuatagaloa's next court hearing is Oct. 23. He was released from the Davis County Jail prior to his court hearing after posting bail, and is on unpaid administrative leave.

Tuatagaloa was on duty and in uniform Sept. 29 when he responded to a call of a woman who had been drinking and was considered suicidal, according to court documents. Tuatagaloa took the woman into custody and drove her to Jordan Valley Hospital for a medical examination, but rather than going straight to the hospital, he drove to a dark area of the hospital parking lot and sexually assaulted the victim, according to the charges.