Trial begins for two former San Antonio PD officers accused of duping women into sex

Former San Antonio Police officers Alejandro Chapa, left, and Emmanuel Galindo listen to testimony Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 during the first day of their trial in the 187th state District Court, presided by Judge Steven Hilbig. The former officers are on trial for charges of compelling prostitution. Chapa and Galindo are accused of recruiting and duping the women into having sex with them. less Former San Antonio Police officers Alejandro Chapa, left, and Emmanuel Galindo listen to testimony Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 during the first day of their trial in the 187th state District Court, presided by Judge ... more Photo: William Luther /San Antonio Express-News Photo: William Luther /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 105 Caption Close Trial begins for two former San Antonio PD officers accused of duping women into sex 1 / 105 Back to Gallery

Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday in the trial of two former San Antonio Police Department officers who are charged with compelling prostitution after four women complained that they were duped into having sex with the officers.

Alejandro Chapa and Emmanuel Galindo were arrested Sept. 24, 2015 after a three-month investigation. Authorities charge they impersonated members of the department’s vice unit and recruited the women for a phony sting operation.

Chapa, 29, and Galindo, 31, both are out on bond. Compelling prostitution is a second-degree felony. If convicted, each man faces two to 20 years in prison.

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The investigation began when one of the women reported to Live Oak police that she had been sexually assaulted by an SAPD officer.

“It was evident something was going on when we started talking to the victims,” Live Oak Police Chief Ken Evans said at the time. “In no way did they know they were getting involved in prostitution.”

Aaron Alford, a third SAPD officer, was arrested and fired along with Chapa and Galindo. Alford was charged with official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor.

An arrest warrant affidavit said Alford referred one woman to Chapa and Galindo and told her she could make up to $5,000 per day if she worked as a police informant.

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The affidavit states that the woman was given a contact number to call, and met with a man later identified as Galindo, who told the woman she needed to perform a series of tests, which included drinking beer, standing blindfolded in a bikini, dancing, “twerking,” performing a lap dance on Galindo, kissing him, getting naked and streaking across the living room, and eventually having sexual intercourse.

Another affidavit described a separate incident in which the officers offered money to a manager of a downtown bar to recruit women. It said the manager participated in a fake scenario set up by the officers to train the women on doing undercover work.

The trial is being heard in the 187th state District Court, presided by Judge Steven C. Hilbig.

This report contains material from Express-News archives.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863