Former Garden Grove Sergeant Charged in Two Sexual Assaults

Prosecutors say Starnes, a former Garden Grove police sergeant, assaulted a fellow officer at a Stanton bar in March 2007. They allege he dragged her from the women’s restroom to the parking lot, where the assault continued until two officers intervened.

In a separate allegation, prosecutors say Starnes sexually assaulted a female civilian employee in 2020 while they were in a car after leaving a bar in Long Beach. They were headed to an informal bar and lounge used by police staff, operated by the police association, prosecutors said.

Federal marshals took Starnes into custody on October 29. He is charged with four felonies, including kidnapping to commit a sex offense and sexual penetration by force or involving an intoxicating or controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on October 30 and remains in custody on $5 million bail.

His attorney, Brian Gurwitz, said Starnes denies the charges and hopes the facts will come out in court. The Garden Grove Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and that it will continue cooperating with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Starnes retired in May 2026 while on administrative leave. If convicted on all charges, he could face seven years to life in prison, plus 14 years in state prison.