Woman Files Lawsuit, Says Guard Raped Her

A Los Angeles woman Tuesday sued a private extradition company that transported her from West Virginia last year to face criminal charges in Van Nuys Municipal Court, claiming that a guard raped her during the trip.

Barbara Pater, 29, sought $6 million in damages in the suit, filed in U.S. District Court. Pater was raped in a van Oct. 16, 1988, by an employee of Extradition Corp. of America, based in Manchester, Tenn., said her attorney, Carol A. Watson.

Pater was being extradited to face misdemeanor charges filed in August of illegally obtaining information from California Department of Motor Vehicles computer records, Watson said. She had been working at a collection agency and had gained access to the records in connection with her job, Watson said.

Guards for the extradition company picked up Pater and several male prisoners Oct. 16, Watson said. When the van arrived in Wartburg, Tenn., the men were dropped off at one jail for the night while Pater was taken to another jail, Watson said.

But on the way to the other jail, the driver of the van pulled over and raped Pater, Watson said.

Another of the company’s employees, who was also in the van but did not participate in the alleged rape, told officials of the extradition company, who notified authorities, Watson said. She said the FBI investigated but made no arrests.

Pater arrived at Van Nuys Municipal Court on Nov. 6 and was turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department, Watson said. She was sentenced to three years probation and fined $3,000 on the misdemeanor charges, Watson said.