GEO Prison Employee Charged with Multiple Counts of Sexual Battery

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ADELANTO, Ca. – A 49-year-old Victorville man who worked as a GEO prison employee was charged for the alleged sexual battery of several victims.

The investigation into the allegations stemmed from a November 2019 report which led to a Victor Valley Station deputy bringing attention to the Security Threat Manager at GEO Prison. The internal investigation into the actions of a kitchen worker, Rene Rios Lopez, who worked at the prison located at 10400 Rancho Road in the City of Adelanto led to the discovery that his actions were a violation of prison policies and possibly criminal in nature, according to the news release.

The investigation lasted for around two months. Interviews were completed with eight victims, as well as several witnesses. Evidence of the sexual battery was found and the police report with supporting evidence was submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review. On February 3, 2020, the district attorney’s office filed six counts of battery against Lopez.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Deputy K. Riberich at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, (760) 552-6800. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can report information to WeTip by calling 1-800-78-CRIME, or by accessing the website at www.wetip.com.