EspañolFresno County Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Apodaca, 31, Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges Following Alleged On-Duty Incident
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (May 20, 2026) – A Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy identified as Alejandro Apodaca was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault following an alleged incident while he was on duty.
Fresno County officials are saying that the incident took place on Wednesday. Authorities began investigating after getting a call from a victim who reported they had been sexually assaulted by deputy Alejandro Apodaca while he was on duty.
Patrol officers responded to the incident, and the investigation was taken over by the Fresno Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. Detectives later made contact with Alejandro Apodaca and collected DNA evidence before arresting him.
The defendant was placed into jail before being bonded out. He has since been placed on administrative leave. A full investigation into the allegations remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Fresno County Sexual Assaults
Police departments have a legal obligation to protect the public from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting the public from sexual assaults and other crimes involving their officers. Liability for any instance of sexual assault involving an on-duty police officer may extend beyond the perpetrator. The police department that they worked for could be liable on the theory that the assaulting officer was negligently hired or retained. Several elements will need to be demonstrated in any negligent retention claim.
- The worker was hired, retained, or supervised by the employer.
- The employee exhibited traits or conduct that showed they were unfit for their job or posed a foreseeable risk.
- The employer knew or should have known that the worker was unfit for their position.
- The employer’s negligent hiring or retention was the proximate cause of the victim’s injuries.
By the time any police officer or public worker is arrested for sexual assault, there were likely many red flags that were missed. For example, the defendant may have been the subject of a number of complaints by other coworkers or members of the public. Part of the problem at many police departments and other locations is that these complaints get swept under the rug and never properly investigated. This provides the assailant the opportunity and ability to keep engaging in and escalating their misconduct.
Steps to Take After Sexual Assaults Involving Fresno County Police Officers
Sexual assaults involving police officers remain an all too common occurrence. According to CBS News, “research from Bowling Green State University [reveals that] police officers in the US were charged with forcible rape 405 times between 2005 and 2013. That’s an average of 45 a year. Forcible fondling was more common, with 636 instances.” Several steps should be taken after any sexual assault involving a police officer.
- The sexual assault should be reported to the police as early as possible so that they can begin investigating.
- All of the medical records related to the assault should be preserved.
- The history of misconduct involving the perpetrator should be understood.
- Victims should carefully consider their legal options with an experienced sexual abuse attorney.
Sexual assaults are one of the most harmful and destructive experiences that most people will ever go through in their lives. Survivors are often left with long-term physical and psychological trauma. This can manifest through a variety of negative health outcomes. Unfortunately, police departments across California have demonstrated time and time again that they will not accept responsibility when one of their officers sexually assaults the public. Victims of sexual assaults involving police officers are able to pursue some measure of accountability and justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Fresno County Sexual Assault Claims
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our best wishes to the person affected by the actions of Fresno County Sheriff Deputy Alejandro Apodaca. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation of the potential scope of the potential misconduct.
Have you or a loved one been affected by sexual abuse involving a Fresno County government employee? Our team of experienced sexual abuse attorneys are here to support you in any way we can. We are committed to helping victims of abuse get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
