An Arizona state trooper has been arrested and charged with unlawful sexual contact after allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a woman who had just been involved in a hit-and-run incident. The woman had called for assistance, and Trooper Aiden Rosebeck, 35, responded to the scene.
According to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, the woman later reported the incident to deputies, stating that Rosebeck had engaged in "inappropriate sexual conduct" while investigating her case. Authorities have not disclosed the specific nature of the alleged misconduct.
Investigators contacted Rosebeck, who reportedly "acknowledged having a physical interaction with the woman during the incident." Based on this and additional evidence, he was arrested and charged with unlawful sexual contact involving a peace officer, a Class 5 felony. He was booked into the Cochise County Jail.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) confirmed Rosebeck's arrest and confirmed it was notified of the allegations on Monday morning. Rosebeck, who joined the AZDPS in 2020, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. The department stated that it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and is conducting its own administrative investigation.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is handling the criminal investigation. AZDPS Director Colonel Jeffrey Glover emphasized the importance of integrity and professionalism among department members, stating that personnel will be held accountable to the department's standards "without exception."
Cochise County Sheriff Mark J Dannels echoed these sentiments, asserting that a badge is not a shield from accountability. "When someone is stranded on the side of a roadway, they should be able to trust that a law enforcement officer who stops to assist them is there to protect them, not take advantage of their circumstances," Dannels said. He stressed that the investigation is about "doing what is right, upholding the law, and making certain that the public understands that accountability applies to everyone."
Rosebeck was released on a $10,000 bond. A conviction for a Class 5 felony in Arizona carries a potential sentence of six months to two and a half years in prison.