Seven women who have gone through Riverside County’s jail filed federal cases against Riverside County March 26. The cases allege liability for sexual abuse admitted by a correctional deputy.
Christian Heidecker, the deputy, pleaded guilty to 11 felonies Feb. 23, and was sentenced to five years in prison March 7.
“Criminal behavior is not only unacceptable, it is referred to law enforcement. In this situation, the county investigated, arrested, prosecuted and reached a conviction for Heidecker. He has since been sentenced to prison,” Riverside County Spokesperson Brooke Federico said by email March 29.
The women’s complaints claim that the county covered up Heidecker’s abuse by offering them $2,000 to