A Kern County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping after sexually assaulting a woman in his patrol car.

Authorities say a 21-year-old woman reported that Michael Clark, 31, attacked her after offering her a ride home in his patrol car in August.

The woman, who didn’t know Clark, told authorities that when they arrived at her home in the Rosamond area, he began kissing and fondling her.

Sheriff’s officials were informed by the woman’s workplace about the August incident, and detectives investigated Thursday and into Friday, Kern County Sheriff Johnny Youngblood said in a press conference Friday afternoon.

The woman reported the incident took place at about 7 p.m. Aug. 24, when she was walking home from work and Clark pulled up next to her and offered a ride. She accepted his offer and sat in the front seat of the patrol car, officials said.

When they arrived at her home, Clark allegedly leaned over the driver’s seat and forced himself on the woman, kissing and fondling her. Clark also exposed himself, Youngblood said.

This lasted approximately 20 minutes and the woman felt she was not allowed to leave the vehicle during that time, officials said.

“We’re convinced that she did not consent to this,” Youngblood said.

Eventually, Clark allowed her to leave the car, but over the next several days, he began texting and messaging the woman on social media, asking if she would meet with him. The woman told officials that Clark came to her work while on duty, asking her out, Sheriff’s officials said.

Sheriff Youngblood addresses the media regarding arrest of deputy. Posted by Kern County Sheriff's Office on Friday, October 18, 2019

He was arrested while on duty Friday afternoon on charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and assault under color of authority. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.

Clark has been with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office since April 2017 and assigned to the Rosamond substation since November.

He has been placed on administrative leave, as per state law, while the department conducts an administrative investigation separate from the criminal proceedings, Youngblood said.

“We’re on that full speed,” he said.

“I’m really proud of the detectives. They took this very seriously. No one is more offended than they are that this could occur,” Youngblood said. “I feel good about this organization and what they do and how we police our own.”