Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
On 09/07/2019, a female inmate disclosed to a jail staff member that she had been sexually assaulted by a deputy while she was housed at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (PTDF). An investigation was immediately launched which identified 48 year old Fillmore resident, Deputy Leonard Lopez as the potential suspect in this crime. Further investigation determined that Lopez entered the victim’s cell during the early morning hours of 09/06/2019 and touched the victim’s intimate body parts over her clothing. The crime was established by statements and video surveillance evidence.
The victim had been housed in a segregated area of the facility, away from other general population inmates, and Lopez had been assigned to work as a security deputy in that specific area. PTDF management removed Lopez from this area immediately upon learning he had been named as a potential suspect. As the investigation identified inappropriate behavior, Sheriff’s management removed Lopez from active duty as a peace officer by placing him on administrative leave pending further investigation.
On 09/22/2019, Lopez was arrested for one felony violation of Penal Code section 243.4(a) PC – Sexual Battery. He was booked into the jail and later released on $20,000.00 bail. Lopez is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 10/08/2019.
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