According to prosecutors, 32-year-old Juan Pesina, Jr. committed some of the alleged crimes while he was in uniform, and on duty. Pesina is currently on administrative leave.
"While we are deeply disappointed in this individual's actions, they do not reflect the values, integrity, or professionalism of the Menifee Police Department," said Chief Chris Karrer in a statement posted to social media.
"We recognize our badge is not a shield from accountability, it is a symbol of service, integrity and responsibility, and we will not let one individual take that from us."
According to the criminal complaint, Pesina allegedly raped a woman inside her home in February 2023. The complaint initially described the victim as a teen, but the Riverside County District Attorney's office confirmed to Eyewitness News on Friday that the victim was an adult, and the initial description was an error.
A second alleged crime occurred in February 2024, when prosecutors say Pesina raped a domestic violence victim who he was supposed to be helping.
That crime allegedly occurred while he was in uniform and on duty, after dropping the victim off at her home in Menifee.
During Pesina's scheduled arraignment, Superior Court Judge Judith Clark ordered Pesina to remain jailed with no bail.
"The circumstances here are extremely serious," said Clark. "The charges made even more so that it's alleged that these offenses were committed under the color of authority, in his capacity as a law enforcement officer, in uniform, on duty while some of the offenses are alleged to have taken place."
Pesina's arraignment was continued to September 2.