Former California judge charged with federal sex crime, coverup

A federal grand jury in Fresno, Calif., on Thursday indicted a former judge on five counts of federal offenses related to alleged sexual assaults, the Department of Justice said Friday. California Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona, 66, allegedly sexually assaulted a court employee in 2024. He is also accused of lying to the FBI and court administrators to cover up the assault. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Corona also allegedly obstructed an investigation into allegations that he assaulted another employee in his judicial chambers, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors said he falsely stated that he was visiting a motorcycle company at the time of one of the assaults and attempted to persuade the company to corroborate his alibi.

What penalties does he face if convicted? Corona could receive a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on the sexual assault charge and 20 years on each of the obstruction charges.