Highway Patrol officer accused of sexual battery against disabled man

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was arrested and charged with sexual battery and disorderly conduct on Friday for allegedly touching a 22-year-old disabled man inappropriately inside a shopping mall bathroom.

The Sacramento Bee reported that 47-year-old Jeffery Closson, a 25-year veteran of the CHP, was booked into Sacramento County jail on Friday afternoon in connection with a June 20 incident at the Arden Fair Mall. He was released on $5,000 bail but placed on administrative leave while the department begins its own investigation.

"The allegations that have been brought forward are disturbing," CHP spokesperson Fran Clader said in a statement. "Even as the alleged incident occurred while the employee was off duty, the CHP takes any allegation of misconduct by its employees seriously."

Police said they determined Closson was a possible suspect using mall security camera footage from the day of the alleged encounter. KOVR-TV reported that Closson was allegedly exposing and touching himself during the incident.

Watch KOVR's report on Closson's arrest, aired Friday, below.