A Pasco County man is behind bars, accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer and raping three women. The investigation actually began a year ago with a sketch.
According to the sheriff’s office, 42-year-old Jose Estrada cruised U.S. 19 looking for potential victims between Hudson and Holiday. Deputies said he targeted and assaulted three women last year between October and December. In January, the sheriff put out his sketch. Shortly after, he moved to Dade City.
“He was in Dade City and we had not gotten any reported cases during that time period,” said Sheriff Chris Nocco. “In September this year he moved back into Holiday, into the location he had been living at.”
Just one month later after he moved back to Holiday, deputies said there was another attack. It happened Tuesday.
“He says I’m a dirty cop, there’s ways to work this out, ways to get out of this, you can basically preform your acts and I won’t have to take you in,” said Sheriff Nocco explaining what Estrada allegedly told one of the victims.
Sheriff Nocco said Estrada used different vehicles each time and probably thought he would get away with it.
“I think that is probably why he was targeting prostitutes, it was because he felt like they would be less likely to report this, they would be ashamed, they wouldn’t come forward,” he said.
The sheriff’s office said Estrada has only admitted to having sex with the women.
Officials are concerned there may be more victims, possibly from Dade City where Estrada lived for the past year.
Deputies have found two rifles in Estrada’s car. As of right now he is being charged with 11 felony counts that include sexual battery, false imprisonment, and impersonating a law enforcement officer.