Ventura County Jail staff member accused of sexually assaulting inmate

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office arrested one of their deputies after an inmate in the Ventura County Jail accused him of sexually assaulting her.

Following a month-long investigation, officials arrested Leonard Lopez, 48, of Fillmore for a felony violation of sexual battery.

On September 7, a female inmate told a jail staff member that she had been sexually assaulted by a deputy while she was housed at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura.

An investigation was launched immediately following the accusation.

Investigators were able to identify Lopez as the potential suspect through video surveillance evidence and statements.

In the investigation, they found that Lopez entered the victim’s cell during the early morning hours of September 6 and touched the victim’s intimate body parts over her clothing.

The victim was housed in a segregated area of the facility, away from other general population inmates.

Lopez had been assigned to works as a security deputy in that specific area.

The Pre-Trial Detention Facility management officials removed Lopez from the area immediately after learning that he was named as a potential suspect.

As the investigation continued, Sheriff’s management removed Lopez from active duty as a peace officer by placing him on administrative leave pending further investigation.

He was arrested on Sunday.

Lopez was booked into jail and was released on $20,000 bail.

Lopez is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on October 8.