A former Fresno County Superior Court docket choose faces extra fees over allegations he sexually assaulted two courtroom staff and tried to hinder the investigations into the assaults.
Former Decide Adolfo Corona, 66, was indicted final yr by a Fresno grand jury on fees of sexual battery and compelled sexual penetration for an alleged assault in March 2024.
He was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury over the March assault and now faces extra assault fees over an alleged December 2023 assault and efforts to hinder the crime. The case can be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Atty. Karen Escobar and Particular Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer.
Corona retired in April 2024, ending his 11-year profession earlier than the primary indictments have been filed.
In line with the U.S. Division of Justice, on March 14, 2024, Corona allegedly led a courtroom worker right into a stairwell the place he sexually assaulted her. After the assault, federal prosecutors say Corona lied to the FBI and courtroom directors in regards to the circumstances of the incident.
2005 photograph of Decide Adolfo Corona. Fresno Bee file photograph.
(Fresno Bee file {photograph})
About three months prior, in December 2023, prosecutors say Corona was alone in his chambers with one other courtroom worker for 2 hours. She was later discovered handed out and alone within the chambers, in keeping with the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Corona lied to the FBI, claiming that he had left the lady alone in his chambers to drive to a dealership and choose up a bike.
On the motorbike dealership, prosecutors say that Corona tried to persuade a dealership worker to falsify firm information to say that he had picked up his motorbike to help the alibi.
He was first indicted by a Fresno grand jury in September 2024 for 2 fees of sexual battery and sexual penetration by concern or pressure and pleaded not responsible.
The newest DOJ allegations have resulted in fees of sexual assault, making false statements to cowl up the crimes, and obstructing the investigation into his alleged assault in courtroom chambers.
If convicted, Corona may resist 80 years in jail.
Corona has been the middle of controversy earlier than. In 2017, he sentenced a sexual abuser to a no-jail sentence and probation after the accused was convicted of soliciting a 14-year-old for express photographs.
Corona can be tried in federal courtroom, though the date just isn’t but introduced.
Any details about the investigation might be reported to the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or to suggestions.fbi.gov.
