Ex-DA investigator pleads guilty

Friday, April 23, 2004 | 9:34 a.m.

A former district attorney's office investigator pleaded guilty Thursday to misconduct by a public official and coercion.

Pete Baldonado, 59, told District Judge Donald Mosley that he entered the plea agreement in order to avoid more punitive charges of bribery and sexual assault.

Baldonado pleaded guilty to the first count of misconduct for using his position as a district attorney investigator to quash warrants in exchange for sexual favors, Baldonado told the judge.

Baldonado pleaded guilty to the second count of coercion by way of an Alford plea, which is the equivalent of a no contest plea. In entering an Alford plea, Baldonado admits no guilt but acknowledges the attorney general's office could prove its case.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Conrad Hafen told Mosley the attorney general's office was prepared to prove Baldonado sexually assaulted a witness in a murder case.

Baldonado allegedly went to the victim's home on the pretense of talking to her about an upcoming murder trial. Baldonado then forced her to engage in sexual intercourse with him "against her will," Hafen said.

A veteran investigative field officer for the district attorney's major violator unit, Baldonado was arrested on the bribery charge after a joint sting operation between the FBI and District Attorney David Roger.