Police Officer Gets 3 Years in Sex Assault

"There are two cases of people," Resnick said, "those that stop and those that don't stop."

D.C. police officer Eldred Boria also spoke on Leon's behalf. Boria said he had patrolled with Leon for 12 years -- seven in Puerto Rico and five in the District. He said he and other 4th Police District officers do not believe the accusations against Leon, whom he described as a dedicated policeman.

"This is news for me, I've never seen him behave in a form that would disrespect anyone," Boria said.

In a statement, Leon apologized to everyone he hurt and explained how the assault "destroyed my whole life." He said he lost his career as an officer and the pending trial kept him from visiting his father in Puerto Rico before he died.

"I used to have many dreams in my life. . . . Now I don't think about that," he said.

In asking for probation, Leon said it would be unsafe for him to be locked up with people he helped put behind bars. "I will never do this or anything like this again," he said.

As he spoke, the victim did not look up.

Kravitz said he wanted to send a strong message to the community that police officers, especially when in uniform and armed, should not abuse their positions of power.

Once out of prison, Leon will have to register as a sex offender.