Former Homeland Security Investigations Agent John Jacob Olivas of Riverside was sentenced May 8 to life in prison for the sexual assaults of two women and the abuse of his official position to prevent them from reporting his misconduct.
Olivas was found guilty on three counts of violating civil rights Dec. 21.
A woman testified that he attempted to rape her in January 2012 after telling her he was “above a cop” and “untouchable,” due to his position as a federal agent. He also told her he could make her “disappear,” remove her children and arrest her on fake charges, she testified.
Another woman testified that Olivas pointed his government weapon into her back before the first assault. She lived with Olivas during the assault, according to court documents.
“Olivas is a sexual predator who willfully abused his power as a federal agent to torment his victims, causing them physical, emotional, and psychological pain,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
In a sentencing memorandum, his attorney, Meghan Blanco, argued that Olivas’ conduct came from an excess in prescribed testosterone, an Air Force injury that caused mental illness, financial pressures from being a single dad and custody disputes with his ex-wife.
“Often, the fights followed nights of heavy drinking. And often, the fights were the result of Mr. Olivas experiencing deep feelings of jealousy and insecurity. At the time, he did not have the emotional resources to appropriately handle his feelings, and he would lash out,” his sentencing memorandum read.
The life sentence was recommended by the probation department.
His trial was originally scheduled for Oct. 9, 2018, but was postponed multiple times. A November 2021 trial resulted in a mistrial, after the jury deadlocked on each count.
According to court documents, Olivas and his later girlfriend, a witness in the trial, got into an argument about marriage in September 2013 after the assaults. When she said she was going to leave, Olivas pointed his government-issued gun at her and said “You’re not going anywhere,” according to court documents. He then either said, “You’re not going anywhere,” or “You’re gonna die before you’re gonna go anywhere.” He had also pretended to call local law enforcement, and told his girlfriend that the police would not let her leave his house, according to witness testimony recounted in court documents.
Olivas’ ex-wife had also testified in the first trial, saying he raped her on her first date, according to court documents.
Olivas was also being prosecuted in Riverside Superior Court for the same Nov. 3, 2012, assault.
In a case filed Aug. 29, 2014, (RIF1403028), he was charged with assault with a gun, false imprisonment, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse and unconscious rape. On Sept. 10, 2015, he pleaded to assault with a gun and inflicting corporal injury, and his remaining charges were dismissed.
The plea deal was made without admission of guilt, and was done to put the case behind him, his sentencing memorandum said. He lost his job as an agent after the plea, and was sentenced to state prison for four years. He became a barber after his release from state prison, and working on being rehabilitated, his memorandum said.
Riverside Deputy District Attorney Tara Foy prosecuted in that case.
Prosecutors were allowed to bring his guilty plea into evidence during the federal trial.
Case information
California Central District Judge Jesus Bernal presided.
Meghan Blanco represented Olivas.
U.S. attorneys Frances Lewis and Eli Alcaraz prosecuted.
Case No. 5:18-cr-00231
Read Olivas’ sentencing memorandum here.
Read our prior coverage: Riverside ICE agent guilty of sexual assault
