Former Tulare County probation officer arrested for inappropriate texts with teen
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A former Tulare County correctional officer was arrested for an inappropriate relationship with a teen.
Maricsa Banuelos of Visalia, 28, was arrested and booked Wednesday into the Tulare County jail on felony communication with a juvenile with the intent to commit a sexual act, according to the sheriff’s office.
Banuelos was sworn in as a probation correctional officer July 2024, according to a social media post from the Tulare County probation department.
According to news reports, Banuelos was no longer an employee with the department and was terminated in November.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a concerned parent on Nov. 5 alleging their 15-year-old daughter had been involved in an inappropriate romantic relationship with an adult.
According to an investigation, the victim has been communicating with Banuelos through text messages, revealing a romantic relationship between them, authorities say.
Text messages showed Banuelos’ intentions to meet with the teen for sexual purposes.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Detective Christopher Durkee at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218. If want to remain anonymous, call or text (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM.
