California Highway Patrol Lieutenant John Swaim surrendered to Imperial County Jail Court Thursday. Swaim had no comment for KSWT when asked about the charges against him as he walked into the Imperial County Sheriff's Office.
By his side, his wife Alicia, mother and attorney's.
During Swaim's arraignment, his lawyer Bob Espinoza, plead not guilty on his behalf in related to charges of sexual misconduct with two different victims on separate occasions more than 10 years ago.
Swaim's bail was set by the judge at $100,000. He was unable to post bond at the time, placed in handcuffs, and booked into jail. "Just knowing he has to pay and that he will be in there, I don't care, if it's just for a couple hours or something but it feels good" says Aarika Sanchez.
Aarika is Swaim's stepdaughter. She flew in from Mexico to see him face a second round of charges having to do with sexual misconduct of minors, "we [my dad and I] filed a case against him for molesting me when I was 7 years old" says Aarika.
But 16 years ago, a jury acquitted Swaim for the allegations brought against him by Aarika. Now the 24-year old hopes to see justice for the alleged victims who have come forward. She says, "I told my story, they didn't believe me, he got away with it and all these years after it happened again it's just sad but it's another chance."
Aarika says because of the allegations her mother has stopped all contact with her. Aarika says she gets her strength to move on from her dad, her daughter, and other family.
Aarika's father, Elias Sanchez, is hoping to form a law in honor of his daughter. He says, "Aarika's Law is going to make it a felony for anyone that fails to report these allegations."
Elias says this is something Aarika's mother is aware of but continues to protect her husband. "We can't have this going on anymore, kids getting their lives destroyed by pedophiles.' 'One second you're a victim, and if you didn't report it now, you went from the victim to the pedophile protector" he says.
Both Elias and Aarika hope their fight to keep telling their story and bring awareness to these acts against children will help stop it. Aarika says, "If your child ever goes up to you and tells you that they're being molested just believe them and protect them that's it."
"We're just glad we're getting a second chance at justice and hopefully this time all the witnesses will come forward and do the right thing, he will be put away and he wont be able to hurt anymore children" says Elias.
If you'd like to hear more of Aarika's story or learn more about Aarika's Law go to http://aarikaslaw.org/. You can also support their cause by liking their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AarikasLaw.
Swaim is scheduled to be back in court at the beginning of next month.
