A former Alabama sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison Friday for sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty, prosecutors announced.

Joshua Davidson, a 33-year-old former deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, placed the woman into custody on Jan. 30, 2020 and drove her down a dark road to a desolate area, according to superseding information and Davidson’s plea agreement with prosecutors.

The victim then performed oral sex on Davidson against her will.

While immediately notifying authorities of the incident, she told them she was in fear that Davidson would shoot her if she did not cooperate.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that officers who abuse their positions of power to sexually assault women in their custody will face significant prison time for their unlawful actions,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will not tolerate sexual misconduct committed by law enforcement officers who were sworn to serve and protect their communities.”

Said Sean P. Costello, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama: “The citizens of Dallas County rightfully rely on their law enforcement officers to serve and protect them, not assault and abuse them. Some criminals wear a badge, and we will continue to hold accountable those who violate the law and erode the trust of our community.”

Added Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown for the FBI Mobile Field Office, which investigated the case: “All law enforcement officers must adhere to the highest standard of professional conduct. Whenever someone chooses to violate the civil rights of the people they are sworn to protect, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Davidson pleaded guilty in May.

He was sentenced Friday to 12 1/2 years in prison.