Ex-Oakland cop to stand trial on charges from sex worker scandal

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HAYWARD (KTVU) -- A judge ruled Thursday that a former Oakland police officer who was arrested last year in connection with a sex scandal that rocked the department will stand trial on the charges.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rogers ordered Brian Bunton, 41, to stand trial on the charges. Bunton, who remains out of custody on bail, will return to court on June 5.

Bunton was arraigned in September 2016 on a felony charge of obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution. Authorities had accused him of informing alleged teenage sex worker Jasmine Abuslin -- known then in police circles as Celeste Guap -- of police prostitution stings in exchange for sex with the then underage girl.

Abuslin, is the daughter of an Oakland police dispatcher who has claimed that she had sexual relations with at least 12 Bay Area law enforcement officers. Several of the encounters occurred while she was a juvenile. During Bunton's preliminary hearing on Thursday, Abuslin testified that she had sex with Bunton at a motel.

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During the preliminary hearing Thursday, she was visibly nervous when she took the witness stand and at one point appeared to retch in a nearby waste basket.

She was chewing gum on the stand, and dressed modestly wearing black pants, a tan camisole and heels. She declined to speak to reporters before taking the stand.

Bunton and his attorney also declined to comment about the case.

Abuslin's involvement with the officers was linked to an enormous amount of turmoil in the department as well as criminal charges filed against several officers.

KTVU reporter Henry Lee and Bay City News contributed to this report.