HPD officer named as suspect in 5 more attacks HPD officer named as suspect in 5 more sex attacks

Officer Abraham Joseph was indicted on Thursday. Officer Abraham Joseph was indicted on Thursday. Photo: HPD Photo: HPD Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close HPD officer named as suspect in 5 more attacks 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Houston police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty has been implicated in five other possible cases, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Abraham Joseph, 27, was indicted last week on charges of aggravated sexual assault. The allegations stem from an alleged attack on Jan. 2 in which Joseph is accused of handcuffing a cantina waitress outside of the bar, taking her to a dark area and raping her on the trunk of his police car, according to a civil lawsuit filed by the woman.

In court, Assistant Harris County District Attorney Eric Bily said investigators questioned people in the area and turned up leads on as many as four other women reporting five other possible sexual assaults. He declined to comment further, saying authorities are still investigating.

Joseph's defense attorney, Nicole DeBorde, said the police officer maintains his innocence.

"He'll be pleading not guilty to any charges," DeBorde said.

She said she did not know about any other allegations before Tuesday's arraignment.

State District Judge Denise Collins kept Joseph's bail at $500,000 after hearing that he has four passports, including one from India.

DeBorde said the officer cannot make bail and will ask for a reduction at the next scheduled hearing in March. She said the bond should be set at $100,000 in line with the Harris County bond schedule.

However, prosecutors said Joseph may be a flight risk.

Joseph was born in India and came to America as a child and has since been naturalized, DeBorde said.

"He's an American citizen," DeBorde said. "He does not have dual citizenship. He doesn't have any family in India."

She said the family has turned over three of the passports and the fourth was lost.

Assigned to HPD's Southwest Patrol Division, Joseph joined the force in July 2009.

Houston Police Department officials referred questions about the investigation to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Joseph was relieved of duty the day of the original incident. Because he is an officer, Joseph is in a secured cell, not in general jail population, DeBorde said.

brian.rogers@chron.com