Alejandro Apodaca, 31, was placed on administrative leave after Fresno police said a victim accused a deputy of sexual assault.
FRESNO, CA — A Fresno County sheriff’s deputy was arrested May 13 after a victim reported being sexually assaulted by a deputy while the officer was on duty and in uniform in Fresno, police said.
Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Apodaca, 31, is under criminal and administrative investigation after Fresno police said he was arrested on two counts each of felony sexual battery and assault by a public officer. The case has drawn attention because the alleged conduct involved a sworn officer during duty hours. Apodaca has not been formally charged, and police said the investigation remains active.
The alleged assault happened May 10 within Fresno city limits, according to authorities. Patrol officers first responded after the victim reported being sexually assaulted by a deputy sheriff. The Fresno Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit then took over the case. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said serious misconduct claims against officers must be handled quickly to protect public trust. Police said detectives later identified Apodaca, contacted him and took him into custody May 13.
Investigators served a search warrant and collected DNA evidence from Apodaca, police said. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said it assisted Fresno police after learning of the allegation by providing information needed to identify Apodaca and help the investigation move forward. Officials have not released the victim’s name, gender, age or details about what led to the alleged encounter. They also have not said whether Apodaca knew the victim before May 10 or whether the alleged assault happened during a call for service, detention, traffic stop or other law enforcement contact.
Apodaca has worked for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for three years, according to local reports citing authorities. The sheriff’s office placed him on administrative leave after the arrest. Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni called the case disappointing and said he holds employees accountable in the same way the agency holds community members accountable for misconduct. The arrest also raised conflict questions because Apodaca works for the county sheriff’s office, while the alleged assault was reported inside Fresno, where the city police department is leading the criminal investigation.
The next known court step is a bond hearing scheduled for May 28. Apodaca posted bond and is no longer in custody, authorities said. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office would decide whether to file formal criminal charges after reviewing the evidence. Police said no further details would be released while the criminal investigation and the sheriff’s office administrative review remain open. The administrative case is separate from any court action and can examine whether department policies were violated.
Legal analyst Tony Capozzi told ABC30 that investigators may focus on the type of contact Apodaca had with the victim and whether the contact was tied to his law enforcement authority. Capozzi said DNA evidence can have more than one explanation in a police contact, including lawful touching during an arrest or detention, but he said officers face a higher standard because of the badge and power they carry. He also said the facts could determine whether civil claims or federal civil rights questions later become part of the case.
The case remained under investigation Tuesday, with Apodaca out of custody and on leave from the sheriff’s office. The next public milestone is his May 28 bond hearing, unless prosecutors or police release new information before then.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.