Fresno firefighter arrested on rape charges

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 36-year-old firefighter with the Fresno Fire Department was arrested on rape and sexual assault charges, Action News has confirmed.

Fresno County sheriff's deputies took Jeffrey Sanchez into custody on Friday. According to detectives, a 19-year-old woman said that she and some friends met a group of men at a bar Thursday night and all went back to Sanchez's home where they drank alcohol. The woman told authorities that he took her into a bedroom and forced her into having sex.

Detectives collected evidence at the scene and interviewed witnesses. Sanchez was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail. He was being held on $105,000 bail but has since bonded out.

The sheriff's office says the fire department has been notified of the arrest. Investigators say there is a possibility that Sanchez has had inappropriate behavior with other people in the past.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff's Office at (559) 600-3111.

Watch the video for extended coverage from Action News reporter Rick Montanez.

Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis today made the following statement:

"The Fire Department was made aware of the arrest of Fresno firefighter Jeffrey Sanchez yesterday by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Sanchez has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the Sheriff's investigation."