BREAKING: Former Fresno County Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona, aged 66, has been indicted again amid shocking allegations of sexual assault against two court employees and attempts to obstruct investigations. Just announced by federal authorities, this indictment adds to previous charges stemming from a March 14, 2024, incident.
The new indictments reveal the disturbing extent of the allegations. Corona, who retired in April 2024 after serving 11 years, is now facing serious accusations of sexual battery and forced sexual penetration. Federal prosecutors allege that he assaulted a court employee in a stairwell and then lied to the FBI about the details of the incident.
In December 2023, another court employee was found passed out in Corona’s chambers after he allegedly spent two hours alone with her. The indictment states that Corona falsely claimed he had left her alone to retrieve a motorcycle. Disturbingly, prosecutors allege that he even attempted to persuade a motorcycle dealership employee to falsify records to support his alibi.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer will prosecute the case, which could lead to a maximum penalty of up to 80 years in prison if Corona is convicted. He was initially indicted by a Fresno grand jury in September 2024 for two counts of sexual battery and sexual penetration by fear or force, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The seriousness of these allegations has sparked outrage and concern within the community, particularly given Corona’s controversial history. In 2017, he infamously sentenced a sexual abuser to no jail time after a conviction for soliciting explicit images from a 14-year-old.
As this case unfolds, the public is encouraged to report any additional information regarding the investigation to the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or through tips at tips.fbi.gov.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation develops, and the full impact on the community and the legal system unfolds.