UPDATE: Former Fresno County Superior Court judge Adolfo Corona has been indicted on new sexual assault charges, escalating a disturbing case involving multiple allegations of misconduct. The 66-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting two court employees and attempting to obstruct the investigations.
This urgent update follows a federal grand jury indictment handed down on Thursday, highlighting allegations that span back to December 2023 and March 14, 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice confirms that Corona, who retired in April 2024, faces serious charges including sexual battery, forced sexual penetration, and making false statements to cover up his alleged crimes.
According to court documents, on March 14, Corona allegedly led a female court employee into a stairwell, where he assaulted her. After the incident, he reportedly lied to the FBI and court officials about what transpired. Just months earlier, in December 2023, he was alone in his chambers with another employee for two hours. She was later discovered unconscious, raising serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding her condition.
The indictment details that Corona attempted to fabricate an alibi by claiming he was at a motorcycle dealership during the alleged assault. He even allegedly pressured dealership staff to falsify records to support his claims. These shocking revelations have prompted federal prosecutors, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer, to take action against him.
If convicted, Corona could face a staggering 80 years in prison, underscoring the gravity of these allegations. The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly given Corona’s controversial history, including a decision in 2017 where he sentenced a sexual abuser to probation instead of jail time after soliciting explicit images from a 14-year-old.
This ongoing case has profound implications not just for the victims involved but for the integrity of the judicial system. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit tips via tips.fbi.gov.
As this story develops, stay tuned for updates on the trial date and further details surrounding this troubling case. The community is watching closely as justice is pursued against a figure once trusted to uphold the law.
