Former Prison Officer Sentenced To Lifetime In Prison For Sexually Assaulting 13 Female Prisoners Over The Past Decade

A former prison officer at California’s largest women’s prison was incarcerated, after being charged with rape and sexually assaulting an inmate at the Central California Women’s Institution in Chowchilla, California.

Female Inmates ( Photo: The New York Times )

Charged with multiple assaults on 13 separate victims

The Madera County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that Gregory Rodriguez who worked at the Central California Women’s Facility, has been charged with 96 counts, including rape, sodomy with sexual assault, and rape under the pretext of power. Prosecutors said the assault allegations dated back to 2014 but most occurred within the past two years. The charges concern 13 different victims according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. If convicted on all charges, Rodriguez faces a prison sentence of more than 300 years.

Investigation continues after sexual misconduct broke out between Rodriguez and women CCWF

An investigation found that Rodriguez may have committed sexual misconduct against at least 22 inmates and was turned over to prosecutors earlier this year.

“These allegations in no way reflect the attitudes of the majority of prison officers who act professionally and do their best to keep inmates safe and serve their sentences,” prosecutors said Wednesday. “We hope that the dismissal and arrest of this defendant will encourage them to continue their honorable professions and to obey the law every day.”

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