HOUSTON —  A former Houston police officer has been charged with aggravated sexual assault after a woman accused him of raping her while he was on patrol.

James Anthony Rodriguez, 27, also is accused of brandishing a firearm during the Sept. 6 rape, according to court documents. The incident allegedly occurred during a traffic stop while Rodriguez worked as a patrol officer, the Houston Chronicle reported in an online story Thursday.

The victim reported the incident that day and the Houston Police Department immediately began an investigation, police spokesman John Cannon said. The Harris County District Attorney's Office filed the charge against Rodriguez on Dec. 15.

It was not immediately clear Thursday night whether Rodriguez had an attorney and a telephone number for him could not be found.

Rodriguez, who resigned from the police department on Nov. 22, was released on a $40,000 bond, the newspaper reported.

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