Former Stockton sergeant pleads guilty to four counts in sexual assault case

Nicholas Bloed, a former Stockton Police Department sergeant who was accused of sexual assault while on the job, pleaded guilty to four charges against four victims, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office said.

Bloed, who was arrested in November 2022, entered guilty pleas to two counts of oral copulation by threat of arrest and two counts of assault by an officer under color of authority Friday.

“After many years of navigating this matter, Mr. Bloed has made the difficult decision to accept responsibility for his actions and plead guilty,” Bloed’s attorney, N. Allen Sawyer, said in a statement. “This decision was not made lightly and he is ready to put this chapter of his life behind him.”

Sawyer continued, “This case has been ongoing for over four years, and throughout this time, Mr. Bloed has reflected deeply on his actions. It is important to clarify that there was no claim of violence; Mr. Bloed never threatened to arrest anyone. However, he acknowledges that his position of authority created an implied threat, particularly concerning the two victims who were sex workers and had outstanding warrants. At no point were any individuals placed under arrest, nor did anyone claim to have experienced overt intimidation.”

In a statement, the DA’s office said the convictions for oral copulation by threat of arrest are classified as “serious strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law, which resulted in Bloed having two strikes on his record.

The state’s Three Strikes Law went into effect in 1994. The law requires, among other things, a minimum sentence of 25 years to life for three-time repeat offenders with multiple prior serious or violent felony convictions, according to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Prosecutors said Bloed could face a prison sentence of eight years. He will be required to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years with the possibility to apply for termination.

“This case sends a clear message: no one is above the law, especially those entrusted to uphold it,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said. “Nicholas Bloed abused his authority and betrayed the public’s trust, and today’s guilty plea ensures he will face the consequences of his actions. My office remains resolute in our commitment to protecting victims and holding offenders accountable, regardless of their position.”

Bloed’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 27 in Department 6D of the San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton.

As of Friday, Bloed remained out on bail.

More: Attorney for former Stockton sgt. says his client has PTSD, seeks mental health diversion

Prior to the plea agreement

Bloed was facing a total of 19 charges, including sexual assault.

The case originally had nine confidential victims, but according to Sawyer, some of them were dismissed in the legal process. Out of the nine victims, five of them were considered sexual assault victims, Sawyer said in a March interview.

However, Sawyer said the court on its own dismissed two of them, one allegedly admitted to Martin J. Whited, a private investigator hired by Sawyer, that his acts with Bloed were consensual, and another one of the sexual assault victims recanted. Sawyer said the victim who recanted had disappeared.

“That leaves the only person who kind of claims there was a sexual assault,” Sawyer said in March.

In February, Bloed’s attorney had submitted a motion to the court to grant mental health diversion for nine of the counts.

In court documents, Sawyer said the motion was made in “good faith” because the former police sergeant had been clinically diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“His diagnosis is supported by medical professionals, and his condition was a significant contributing factor to the alleged offenses,” Sawyer stated in the motion documents.

Earlier this month, San Joaquin County Superior Judge Richard Mallett denied the mental health diversion.

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During a hearing Friday, 11 of the counts against the former officer were dismissed by the prosecution in the “interest of justice in view of the plea,” court documents stated.

Additionally, four enhancement/aggravating alleged factors for special allegations of sex crimes were stricken.

Court documents stated that Bloed also waived his right to appeal.

Sawyer said he and his client appreciated the opportunity to reach a plea agreement that they believed accurately reflected the true facts of the case.

“Mr. Bloed sincerely apologizes to anyone he may have harmed throughout his actions. He deeply regrets the impact they had on the victims involved,” Sawyer said in the statement following the guilty plea. “Prior to his arrest, he sought treatment for PTSD and sex addiction, committing himself to a live-in treatment program. He has been on a path to recovery, and this plea marks the final step in a long and challenging journey toward accountability and personal healing.”

This article originally appeared on The Record: Former Stockton police sergeant pleads guilty in sexual assault case