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Public Safety

Trial Date Set For Ex-SDPD Officer Accused Of Groping Women On Duty

Christopher Hays at a hearing on April 22, 2014.
10News
Christopher Hays at a hearing on April 22, 2014.

A Nov. 10 trial date was set Wednesday for a former San Diego police officer accused of groping and illegally detaining four women while on duty.

Christopher Hays, 30, is charged with five counts, including felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor sexual battery. He faces up to three years and eight months in state prison if convicted.

Hays pleaded not guilty Wednesday at his Superior Court arraignment.

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Three women testified at a preliminary hearing last month, alleging they were groped after being contacted and searched by Hays, a four-year SDPD veteran who resigned the day after he was charged in February.

A fourth woman alleged that Hays groped her after her arrest for shoplifting, according to SDPD Detective Cory Gilmore.

In his ruling ordering the defendant to stand trial, Judge Charles Rogers found that the alleged victims who testified were "credible, truthful and accurate."

Hays remains free on $130,000 bail. A status conference is scheduled July 18.

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