Deputy Pleads Not Guilty in Assault

A sheriff’s deputy pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection with an alleged rape attempt against a 16-year-old girl in Encinitas.

Deputy Ray C. Johnson, 36, of Vista pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted rape of an unconscious person and attempted unlawful sexual intercourse.

Municipal Judge Howard H. Shore set a preliminary hearing for May 10. Johnson remains free on his own recognizance.

The eight-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department is accused of trying to rape the girl Aug. 2 as she slept in the apartment she shared with a 21-year-old woman with whom Johnson was acquainted. Johnson was off duty when the attack allegedly occurred.

Defense attorney Elliott Kanter said his client denies all wrongdoing, and he questioned why Johnson is being prosecuted so long after the alleged attack.

“We question that, if this was an average citizen and not a sheriff’s deputy, if this would be prosecuted,” Kanter said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jeff Dusek said prosecution was delayed as investigators tried to determine the girl’s last name. Dusek said a sexual attack was reported by the girl and her roommate during a phone call in which only first names were used.

Johnson, who was assigned to the Encinitas substation, has been removed from patrol duty, Kanter said.

Another sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Encinitas substation, Gilberto Balcazar, was arraigned last week on charges of sexual misconduct.