Ex-Oklahoma trooper charged with sex crimes

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) – A former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who allegedly forced women to have sex with him following traffic stops has been formally charged with 14 counts that include rape, sodomy, sexual battery, embezzlement and asking for or receiving a bribe.

Court records show 42-year-old Eric Roberts was charged Friday in Creek County District Court.

His attorney has proclaimed Roberts’ innocence and says he committed no crimes.

Roberts was suspended in July – but the allegations didn’t come to light until August when a woman filed a federal lawsuit claiming Roberts raped her following a traffic stop. Two more women later came forward with similar allegations.

Roberts resigned from the highway patrol in September – about two weeks after being arrested on the allegations.