SANTA ROSA, Calif. - A 42-year-old Santa Rosa man is in custody after police say he sexually assaulted a woman while posing as a police officer and threatening to turn her over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Police impostor

What we know:

Santa Rosa police said Peni Cere approached a woman sleeping in her car on the 90 block of Montgomery Drive in early July. Investigators say Cere, who is employed as a private security guard, wore a uniform, and forced his way inside the victim's car.

"She was in fear," said Sgt. Patricia Steffens of the Santa Rosa Police Department. "Not only for her safety during that incident, but also in fear of being deported."

Police say the victim initially did not report the assault but came forward this month after encouragement

See Full Page