Ex-Durham police officer sentenced to prison for sexual assault during welfare check

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A former Durham police officer has been sent to prison for sexual assault.

Rayshawn Deon Taylor, 36, was sentenced to 37 months behind bars and two years of supervised release for assaulting a man during a welfare check last August. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color law involving sexual misconduct.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Taylor, who was on duty as a corporal with the Durham Police Department, used a translation app on his personal phone to communicate with the victim at their home. He then threatened to arrest the victim if they spoke out.

Court records show Taylor deleted the app and its cache data after the incident. He also violated department policy by not activating his body-worn camera during the encounter, though some of the interaction was captured on his patrol vehicle's dashcam.

The case was investigated by the FBI's Charlotte Field Office and the Durham Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Waid and Trial Attorney Chloe Neely from the Civil Rights Division.