Two former correctional officers at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, Jeffrey Wilson and Lawrence Gacad, have been charged with sexual abuse of female inmates. This development marks them as the ninth and tenth officers to face charges related to a broad investigation into misconduct at the facility.
Jeffrey Wilson, 34, is facing five counts of sexual abuse of a ward concerning his alleged actions involving an inmate identified as C.S. The accusations state that Wilson engaged in inappropriate conduct with C.S. on several occasions between March 14, 2022, and August 16, 2022. These incidents reportedly took place in a medical room at FCI Dublin. Additionally, Wilson is accused of providing false statements to federal agents by denying any sexual contact with C.S. or supplying her with contraband during her incarceration.
Lawrence Gacad, 33, has been charged with one count of abusive sexual contact for his alleged involvement with an inmate referred to as S.L., occurring between March 1, 2022, and June 14, 2022.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian along with Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Hunt and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.
The Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin has resulted in charges against ten correctional officers for crimes associated with the sexual abuse of female prisoners at the facility. Details regarding the status of these cases include:
– Warden Ray J. Garcia was convicted on all counts by jury on December 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months.
– CO John Bellhouse was convicted on all counts by jury on June 5, 2023; sentenced to 63 months.
– Chaplain James Highhouse pleaded guilty on February 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months.
– CO Enrique Chavez pleaded guilty on October 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months.
– CO Ross Klinger pleaded guilty on February 10, 2022; sentenced to one year home confinement.
– CO Andrew Jones pleaded guilty on August 17, 2023; sentenced to 96 months.
– CO Nakie Nunley pleaded guilty on September 5, 2023; sentenced to 72 months.
– CO Darrell Smith was indicted on April13 ,2023 ; trial scheduled for September ,02 ,2025 .
For Wilson’s charges: if found guilty he could face up-to fifteen years imprisonment per count along-with fines reaching $250000 . In case he is convicted under false statement allegations maximum penalty would be eight-year jail term plus similar fine amount . Whereas ,Gacad faces potential two-year sentence accompanied by quarter-million dollar fine upon conviction .
Assistant U.S Attorneys Andrew Paulson,Alethea Sargent,Sailaja Paidipaty,and Molly Priedeman are leading prosecutions supported via Veronica Hernandez & Amala James .This legal pursuit stems from DOJ OIG alongside FBI investigations .
