A Pasco County Sheriff Deputy has been fired after admitting to sexually assaulting a woman while on duty.

Former Deputy Carlos Lopez hasn’t lived in Pasco County long.

According to his Facebook page, he left Philadelphia where he was a police officer and began working as a patrol deputy four years ago.

Outside his home Thursday a deputy told Bay News 9 Lopez did not want to talk. Neighbors say the details of his arrest aren’t what they expected.

“He and his family are wonderful people so I’m just shocked,” said his neighbor, Cheryl Faber.

According to the arrest report, Lopez responded to a call at a woman’s home in New Port Richey on Halloween night.

The woman said Lopez came onto her and started grabbing and kissing her. She said she pushed him away but he came in her house and kept touching her.

When she told him she did not want to touch him, he finally left, but it wasn’t the end of it. According to the woman, Lopez called her and the sheriff said there’s proof.

"We have it on audio that he is making statements admitting to what he had done,” said Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Nocco said when Lopez was questioned emotions ran high.

“He started banging the table and he started sobbing," Nocco said.

Investigators say that all was a facade.

“I don’t care if he wears a uniform, didn’t matter that he wore a star, he’s a criminal,” said Nocco.



Lopez was arrested shortly after the victim came forward. He was released on $50,000 bond.

The sheriff’s office thanked the victim for coming forward and is asking if there are any other victims to come forward.

