2 LAPD officers charged with sexually assaulting 4 women while on duty

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two veteran Los Angeles Police Department officers have been charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting four women while on duty, the L.A. County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

James Nichols, 44, and Luis Valenzuela, 43, worked as partners for the LAPD's Hollywood Division. Both men are accused of sexually assaulting women in various locations, including their police vehicle, between December 2008 and March 2011.

The suspects were charged with multiple counts of sexual assaults, including forcible rape, rape under color of authority, oral copulation under color of authority and oral copulation by force.

The four victims were arrested at different times by the officers during narcotics-related offenses. One victim sued LAPD and settled for $575,000 settlement in 2014. A second victim is preparing a lawsuit against the LAPD.

According to LAPD, the officers have been off the streets without pay since 2013. Nichols and Valenzuela are each being held on $3.7 million bail and are scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

If convicted as charged, they each face up to life in state prison.