Officer Who Helped Save East Bay Woman Held as Sex Slave Speaks Out

The officer who helped save an East Bay woman who was held hostage as a sex slave for decades spoke out Saturday.

Police said Raul Ochoa began abusing the victim when she was 12 years old. Then in 2012, at the age of 27, she was able to escape and went straight to the Richmond Police Department.

The officer said when she came in, he knew immediately something was wrong.

"She was trying to report herself as a runaway...not acting like a 27-year-old," Officer Mitch Pixoto said.

Ochoa was quickly arrested after the woman escaped and has remained in custody since then.

"She basically had her whole childhood stolen from her. She's an extremely strong, courageous woman for having been forced to undergo this and have the courage to make it out," Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Wagner said.

Ochoa pleaded guilty to rape charges, and he is likely to spend at least 20 years in prison.

Ochoa is scheduled to be formally sentenced on February 11.

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