By Daniella Segura
The Charlotte Observer
ORANGE, S.C. - A sheriff’s deputy is accused of sexually assaulting two female inmates on multiple occasions at a California jail, officials said.
Arcadio Rodriguez, 30, who worked at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, was arrested, and his employment with the department is pending termination, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release on Friday, Aug. 12.
Rodriguez is accused of “having an inappropriate relationship with two female inmates,” sexually assaulting them on multiple occasions and “showing them pornographic videos while in their housing locations,” the department said. The suspected assaults are believed to have begun in May.
“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 in the release.
The department learned of the suspected assaults when jail staff “intercepted communication that described the misconduct” on Monday, Aug. 8, the department said. An investigation began, and Rodriguez was placed on administrative leave the next day.
“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,” Barnes said.
Rodriguez was booked into Santa Ana Jail, facing a felony charge of “sexual activity between a peace officer and inmate,” as well as “misdemeanor charges of assault under the color of authority and possession of a cellphone in a custody facility,” according to officials.
The department is sending the case to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office “for prosecution,” the release said.