PORTLAND -- Oregon State Police trooper Jose Antonio Cortez, who formerly played football for Oregon State University and The National Football League, has to resign due to a misconduct charge.
Cortez was forced to give up his credentials and sentenced to seven days in jail after he pleaded guilty to official misconduct on the job as an OSP trooper.
A DUII suspect stopped March 1 on Interstate 205 reported that Cortez fondled her during questioning, according to a report in The Oregonian.
All members of the Oregon State Police are given a high level of trust and are held to a very high standard for personal and professional conduct, said OSP superintendent Richard Evans. We won't accept any criminal conduct, and when supported by facts and evidence will pursue prosecution for such acts.
Evans said Cortez had been investigated for allegations of improper conduct by the OSP office of professional standards and the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office. Evans did not talk about the details of the traffic stop.
Cortez was a junior college transfer who was a place kicker for Oregon State for two years. He went on to the NFL, playing for eight teams from 1999 to 2005.
He joined OSP in June, 2007.
