Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy accused of sexually assaulting female inmates
A deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has been arrested and awaits termination from employment after he was accused of sexually assaulting two female inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility.
Arcadio Rodriguez, 30, “is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female inmates separately on multiple occasions by touching them in a sexual manner over their clothes and showing them pornographic videos while in their housing locations,” according to a press release by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The Department received a report regarding the sexual misconduct—which is believed to have started in May 2022—from jail staff on Monday, August 8th, and began investigating immediately. Rodriguez was placed on administrative leave on August 9th and booked into Santa Ana Jail on August 12th.
“The suspected criminal actions of this deputy are inexcusable, especially for a person who swore to serve and protect our community,” Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. “One of our most important duties is to provide for the care and wellbeing of the people in our jails. Any betrayal of that responsibility is not indicative of the environment in our jails, or reflective of the hard work of hundreds of deputies and professional staff in custody operations every day.”
Rodriguez faces a felony charge of sexual activity between a peace officer and inmate in a jail facility. He additionally faces misdemeanor charges of assault under the color of authority and possession of a cell phone in a custody facility.
“I want our community to know how seriously I take these allegations and that I will hold accountable any deputy who chooses to be disloyal to their responsibilities as a peace officer through a swift process,” continued Barnes. “I have notified the Office of Independent Review and provided them access to monitor and review this investigation to ensure objectivity and thoroughness.”
