The Plant City man who was arrested on charges of capital sexual battery Friday, July 10, after a six-hour standoff with law enforcement is a law enforcement officer himself, authorities said.
James Cunha, 44, is a former police officer with the Haines City Police Department and is currently employed by the public safety department at Hillsborough Community College, according to arrest records.
Cunha faces 10 counts of custodial sexual battery on at least two victims, four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 and other lewd conduct charges, records show. The instances occurred between March 2014 and June 2015.
He was arrested the evening of July 10 at his home on Tindale Road, six hours after Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies responded to a sexual abuse call. About two hours into the investigation, Cunha became agitated and ran inside, then barricaded the door and armed himself with several weapons, authorities said.
He surrendered just after 8 p.m.
