One year ago today (May 8, 2023)... Ex-ICE agent who raped women sentenced to life in prison

One year ago today (May 8, 2023)… A 48-year-old former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent from Riverside who sexually abused two women was sentenced to life in federal prison.

John Jacob Olivas was convicted in December on three counts of deprivation of rights under the guise of the law.

During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Monday, Judge Jesus Bernal imposed the sentence requested by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Olivas is a sexual predator who intentionally abused his power as a federal agent to torment his victims and inflict physical, emotional and psychological pain,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Anyone who abuses their power as a public official must be held accountable.

“We hope that the sentence imposed in this civil rights case will ease the fear of victims and remind potential offenders that law enforcement officers who break their promise to enforce and uphold the law will face harsh punishment.”

Olivas was charged in 2018 following an investigation that began three years earlier.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Olivas was an ICE agent from 2007 until his resignation in 2015, working most of the time in Homeland Security.

According to the indictment, Olivas assaulted and attempted to rape a woman in January 2012. In doing so, he told her that “the police would not respond to any allegations” she made against him because of his status as a federal law enforcement officer.

Olivas further claimed that he was “above a police officer,” “untouchable,” and “invisible” to police due to his position as a federal agent,” according to the indictment.

Olivas told the victim he could arrange for child welfare workers to take custody of her children if she tried to betray him.

Olivas raped a second woman in September 2012 and again in November of the same year.

The victim testified that “Olivas made it clear that police would not act on any report they made of him being assaulted, which led the victim to believe he was ‘invincible’ to the criminal justice system,” the victim said US Attorney’s Office.

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