Ex-Hillsborough deputy gets 5 years in rape case

A former Hillsborough County deputy accused of forcing a hit-and-run suspect to perform a sex act on him was sentenced today to five years in prison and 10 years of sex offender probation.

Raymond Choy, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery and one count of kidnapping. He could have faced up to 60 years behind bars if convicted at trial.

The victim, backed by her boyfriend, spoke at the sentencing.

"He ruined my life," she said. "As a deputy, he was there to protect and serve. He didn't do that."

The Tampa Tribune does not identify sex crime victims.

Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman imposed the sentence worked out in a plea deal.

Assistant State Attorney Rita Peters said prosecutors decided to offer the deal after reviewing all the circumstances in the case. Peters said she explained the agreement to the victim.

Choy's attorney said the plea was appropriate "in view of the totality of circumstances."

"My client is pleased and certainly should be pleased by the outcome," Norman Cannella Sr. said.

Authorities say Choy was investigating a hit-and-run when the assault happened on April 1, 2007. He ran the license plate of the car that drove away and went to the owner's home, where he took a woman into custody.

She told investigators that Choy took her to the accident scene and then drove to orange groves in Thonotosassa, telling her she wouldn't be arrested if she cooperated. She immediately called the sheriff's office after Choy took her back home.

Investigators took samples from the woman's hair and arm; Choy's DNA matched those swabs.

Choy, a seven-year veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave and later resigned. Timmerman ordered him to relinquish his law enforcement certification.

A day after Choy's arrest, a second woman filed a similar complaint, saying Choy forced her to perform a sex act in November 2006.

Choy hasn't been charged in that incident, but the woman was prepared to testify if the April 2007 case went to trial.