Ex-School Security Officer Admits Sex Offense

A former Los Angeles School District security officer pleaded guilty Friday in San Fernando Superior Court to a charge of using the threat of physical harm to force a woman into sexual intercourse.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office agreed to dismiss charges of forcible oral copulation, rape, penetration by a foreign object and kidnaping against Curtis Gene Petty, 33, of North Hollywood.

Petty admitted in a taped confession that he used a gun to force a prostitute to drive him to his apartment May 20 after she learned that he did not have money to pay her for services they had agreed to.

After receiving Petty’s plea, Judge John H. Majors set sentencing for March 13.

Petty could be sentenced to two to four years in prison under the seldom-used law prohibiting “false or fraudulent representations with the intent to create fear” as a means of forcing a person to have sex.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kenneth A. Loveman said the dismissal of the other charges, which carry mandatory prison sentences of at least three years, allows the possibility of probation for Petty.

Loveman said he felt lenient toward Petty because of his quick confession and previously spotless record. Loveman said Petty immediately felt remorseful and offered to let the woman take anything in his home as payment.

However, by prosecuting the case, Loveman said, he intended to send a message that the district attorney’s office is serious about protecting prostitutes against rape.

“You can’t rape them or you’ll go to jail, even if you’re a cop,” Loveman said.