Convicted ex-jail guard receives 224-year imprisonment term for sexually abusing female prisoners
In a landmark sentencing on August 14, 2025, former correctional officer Gregory Rodriguez was handed a 224-year prison term for the repeated sexual assaults he committed against female inmates at the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla[1][2].
Rodriguez, who served at CCWF for approximately nine years, was found guilty of 62 felonies and two misdemeanors, which included charges such as rape, attempted sodomy, and rape under color of authority[2]. This case, with its staggering number of charges, is considered one of the largest sexual assault cases in the history of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)[2].
The victims of Rodriguez's assaults number nine, and two additional victims spoke before he was sentenced. During the court hearing, these women bravely recounted the abuse they suffered during his tenure at CCWF[1].
The problem of sexual abuse by correctional staff at CCWF has been a longstanding issue, with multiple allegations over the prison’s 30-plus years of operation[2]. Despite ongoing efforts to address such abuses, challenges persist.
The trial saw Rodriguez's attorneys dismiss the women's accounts as "stories," but the victims' testimonies painted a starkly different picture[1]. Rodriguez was arrested in May 2023, following his departure from the prison in 2022[2].
This sentence, representing the maximum punishment allowed in this case, serves as a strong message against such heinous crimes within the correctional system. It is hoped that it will pave the way for a safer environment for all those who are incarcerated.
The sentencing of Gregory Rodriguez, a former correctional officer, to a 224-year prison term for committing repeated sexual assaults against inmates, highlights the importance of addressing sexual-health issues within the general-news sphere, particularly in the health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice categories. The bravery of his victims, who spoke out during the trial, underscores the need for enhanced scrutiny and accountability in institutions like the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), reinforcing the significance of such high-profile cases in the context of the science of law enforcement and corrections.
