A former correctional officer that was employed at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla for the past decade is charged for sexual misconduct, facing 96 counts that include rape, sodomy, sexual battery, and rape under color of authority towards inmates.

Former guard Greg Rodriguez, 55, had worked at Chowchilla since 2010 but retired in 2022 when the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) were doing internal investigations into allegations against him. He was arrested late last year in suspicion of sexually assaulting at least 13 inmates according to county prosecutors.

According to MSN, eight more inmates have filed lawsuits alleging they were raped inside of the facility, accusing Rodriguez and other staffers of violating 22 inmates sexually as well as CDCR for failing to make action towards reported abuse that has been notified since 2014.

He is currently being held without bond at the Madera County Jail, with 39 total charges of individual sexual assault and other counts that lead into a possible 300 years in prison.

CCWF Warden Mike Pallares made a statement: “Rodriguez shamefully hid behind his badge and used it to victimize a vulnerable population. That is one of the most abhorrent acts one can commit in a peace officer position and once my investigative team uncovered his wrongdoing, I referred it to the Madera County District Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution. We look forward to him being held accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”

Here is the press release statement that CDCR made about the internal investigation: CDCR takes every allegation of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and sexual violence seriously and investigates each allegation thoroughly. In addition, retaliation against anyone who reports these kinds of allegations as well as retaliation against those who cooperate with investigations is not tolerated. CDCR has continuously evolved to better incorporate ways of protecting all incarcerated people against sexual misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. In addition to vigorously enforcing its zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence, staff sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in its institutions, community correctional facilities, conservation camps, and for all those under its jurisdiction.

Updates will be edited into this blog once announced.