Judge accused of sexual assault in Fresno chambers now faces federal charges
A former judge accused of sexual assault inside the Fresno Superior Courthouse now faces federal charges for the same alleged act, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday.
Retired Judge Adolfo Corona, 66, was indicted on five counts including sexual assault of a court employee, making false statements to cover up the assault and obstructing the investigation of a second alleged victim in his chambers, according to prosecutors.
The federal charges are considered civil rights violations.
Corona was already charged by the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office in September. It was not immediately clear if the federal indictment would supersede the local charges.
His attorney was not immediately available for comment.
Prosecutors allege Corona led a courthouse employee into a stairwell on March 14, 2024, and sexually assaulted her. They also accused him of lying about the circumstances during interviews with the FBI and court administrators.
Corona also obstructed the investigation into the accusations that he sexually assaulted a second victim, the prosecutors allege.
In the second case, prosecutors said Corona was in his chambers alone with the victim for two hours on Dec. 5, 2023. She was found alone in the chambers after she had passed out, according to prosecutors.
Corona told investigators he left the woman alone when he went to pick up a motorcycle, according to a news release. Investigators said Corona attempted to persuade a dealership employee to change the company’s records to corroborate that alibi.
If convicted, Corona could be sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexual assault and 20 years each for the obstruction charges.
Corona was appointed to the Fresno Superior Court in 2003 by Gov. Gray Davis. He retired in April 2024.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM.
