Attorney Allen Sawyer Employs Mental Health Diversion to Get a 25-Year Sentence Reduction for Ex-Stockton Police Officer Accused of Rape
Former Stockton Police sergeant Nicholas Bloed potentially faced a sentence of 33 years if convicted for the multiple rape, sexual misconduct, and assault charges against him. The efforts of Stockton Mental Health Attorney Allen Sawyer helped ensure that sentence was reduced to eight years.
As reported in a Stockton Record article, a former Stockton Police Department officer charged with 19 offenses related to sexual misconduct and bribery while on the job has pled guilty to four counts and received a significantly reduced sentence, thanks to the intervention of Stockton Mental Health Attorney Allen Sawyer. Citing the ex-sergeant’s diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sawyer sought mental health diversion for his client. His efforts contributed to the 25-year reduction in sentence Bloed received. Read the press release here.
PTSD: A Significant Contributing Factor
Nicholas Bloed, who had worked for the Stockton Police Department since March 2008, was released from his position in October 2022 after the first of multiple complaints of sexual misconduct were made against him. In November 2022 he was arrested. A total of nine alleged victims made complaints of being approached by Bloed in uniform and pressured by him into having sex with him. He was eventually charged with 19 offenses:
- one count of rape by force or fear of bodily injury
- one count of rape by threat to arrest/deport
- four counts of oral copulation by use of force or injury
- four counts of oral copulation by threat of authority to arrest/deport
- seven counts of assault by a public officer
- one count of unauthorized use of computer service
- one count of prostitution
As reported in a separate Stockton Record article, Bloed had been diagnosed on July 8, 2022, with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after having voluntarily sought mental health treatment for compulsive behaviors and other mental health issues. The ex-police sergeant’s clinical psychologist avowed that Bloed had experienced trauma both on the job as a first responder and in circumstances outside of his job, and suffered both from sex addiction and PTSD.
In light of this diagnosis, Sawyer submitted a motion to the court asserting that Bloed’s PTSD was a significant contributing factor to his behavior related to the charges of assault, unauthorized computer use, and prostitution, and asked that Bloed be granted mental health diversion for these charges.
On April 25 Bloed pled guilty to the following:
- two counts of oral copulation by threat of authority to arrest/deport
- two counts of assault by an officer under color of authority
“This has been a long road and a difficult matter for my client,” said Sawyer about Bloed’s guilty plea. “Having taken responsibility for his actions, he’s keen to put all of this behind him.”
What is Mental Health Diversion in California?
As outlined in California PC1001.36, persons with mental health disorders who are accused of crime may be eligible for pretrial mental health diversion, an alternative to traditional prosecution and conviction. When someone is accused of criminal behavior, and that person suffers from a mental health problem that would significantly contribute to such behavior, a mental health attorney should endeavor to prove that their client qualifies for Mental Health Diversion Court, with the ultimate aim of securing treatment for the client, not incarceration.
About California Defense Attorney Allen Sawyer
With offices in Stockton, San Jose, and Sacramento, The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer comprise unparalleled attorney representation for a range of legal matters across the state. Additionally, Mr. Sawyer can be seen regularly on local television news, handling cases for politicians, celebrities, sports figures, and matters in the public eye.
Sawyer brings over 20 years of experience as a California attorney, including time spent as a prosecutor, to his California defense attorney practice. Misdemeanors and felonies, Allen Sawyer litigates California criminal defense cases including, but not limited to the following: California Criminal Defense, Stockton Drug Crimes Defense, California Embezzlement Defense, Federal Crimes Defense, and San Francisco White Collar Defense.
His distinctive legal experience and his passionate dedication uniquely situate him to provide criminal defense to clients in Stockton, Sacramento, San Francisco, Northern California, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Mr. Sawyer fights for the rights of the accused. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact Allen Sawyer directly at (209) 645-0556 or submit a digital inquiry.