OAKLAND (KRON) — KRON4 has obtained a mugshot of one of the Oakland police officers charged in the sexual misconduct scandal plaguing Bay Area law enforcement agencies.
Bunton was booked into Santa Rita Jail but has since posted the $12,500 bail.
Oakland police officer Brian Bunton was charged on Sept. 19 with a felony for his alleged involvement with Jasmine Abuslin, formerly known as Celeste Guap.
Bunton pleaded not guilty to felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor engaging in an act of prostitution on Sept. 23 at the Alameda County Superior Courthouse in Hayward.
Bunton, who has been an officer for two years, allegedly sent text messages to Abuslin warning her to stay away from International Boulevard because of a prostitution sting, according to court documents.
Bunton is the first of five officers charged by the Alameda County District Attorney to make a court appearance.
In court, Bunton’s attorney says his client is a 40-year-old husband and father who has been an Oakland police officer for less than two years.
“Officer Bunton did cooperate in the investigation,” Dirk Manoukian said. “He gave a full statement. In that statement, he expressed remorse and took responsibility for some of the actions that they were discussing, and we believe the facts are going to support those statements that he made.”
“On March 7th 2016, Officer Brian Bunton contacted Jasmine (Abuslin) via text and encouraged and promoted acts of prostitution by asking her if she ‘made all her money’ and then informed her that she ‘needed a better manager’ when Ms. (Abuslin) stated she did not make as much money as she wanted,” charging documents said.
Bunton’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.