FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. — A female correctional officer in California with a “depraved mind” has been incarcerated after having sex with an inmate — in full view of 11 other inmates — while working in the Fresno County Jail.
Tina Gonzalez, 26, pleaded no contest in April to sexual activity by a detention facility employee with a consenting inmate, as well as possessing drugs or alcohol, and a cell phone to give to an inmate, the The Fresno Bee reported.
Gonzalez reportedly cut a hole in her uniform pants to make it easier to have sex with the inmate. She also supplied the same individual with razors, a cell phone and advance warnings when his cell was going to be searched, according to the agency.
Gonzalez worked as a correctional officer from 2016 to 2019. She was arrested on May 1, 2020 after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office’s vice unit and the department’s internal affairs division. She resigned following her arrest.
Assistant Sheriff Steve McComas told the court during Gonzalez’ sentencing hearing on Tuesday, that he had witnessed many “pretty disgusting things” during his tenure, but nothing as stunning as hearing of Gonzalez’s sex session in full view of other inmates.
“That is something only a depraved mind can come up with,” McComas said, according to the Bee.
“She took an oath which she betrayed and in doing so endangered her coworkers’ lives,” McComas said.
“But she has shown no remorse. She continually calls and has sexually explicit conversations with the inmate in question and boasts about the crimes she carried out,” he told the court.
Fresno County Jail. (Google Maps)
Although her former boss called for Gonzalez to get the maximum sentence of three years and eight months in prison, the judge saw it differently, New York Post reported.
Judge Michael Idiart sentenced the former correctional officer to seven months in county jail followed by two years of probation. He noted her early plea and lack of criminal history as he sentenced her Tuesday.
“I think what you did was terrible, stupid and you have ruined your career,” Idiart told Gonzalez. “But I also believe that people can redeem themselves and you have the rest of your life to do that. Good luck.”
