Tricia Caparra, 36, was arrested for sex with minor allegations on Thursday morning in Santa Cruz County, California, by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office
A former Californian probation counselor was arrested on allegations that she had sex with two teenage boys while they were incarcerated.
Tricia Caparra, 36, was arrested Thursday morning in Santa Cruz County, California, by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office.
The boys, aged 17 and 18, were housed at the William F. James Boys Ranch in Morgan Hill at the time.
She now faces 17 counts of sexual assault – 14 felonies and three misdemeanors – and was also booked for a felony charge of unlawful access to privileged information related to one of the victims.
If convicted, she could do a maximum of 11-and-a-half months in prison, according to prosecutor Luis Ramos.
The alleged incidents surfaced on September 3, last year, when one of the victims came forward.
Caparra was immediately placed on administrative leave, by the probation department, and was removed from contact with all youth.
The boys, aged 17 and 18, were housed at the William F. James Boys Ranch in Morgan Hill at the time
They also reported her to the Sherriff’s Office and launched an internal investigation, according to a news release.
Caparra, while still under internal investigation, resigned on July 10 of this year.
‘We were appalled to learn of this employee’s alleged abuse of a minor in our care, and we have worked closely with the sheriff and district attorney to ensure they have the information necessary to investigate and now prosecute this individual,’ said Chief Probation Officer Laura Garnette in a written statement, obtained by the Mercury News.
The former probation counselor faces 17 counts – 14 felonies and three misdemeanors – and was also booked for a felony charge of unlawful access to privileged information related to one of the victims.
‘This employee violated the trust placed in our department. This will not be tolerated.’
‘Our probation staff have worked compassionately to support both of these youth throughout this ordeal and we remain committed to providing exemplary care to our youth.’
The sentiment was cosigned by County executive, Jeff Smith, who said: ‘The county has zero tolerance for these deplorable acts against clients in our care.
‘We were appalled to learn of this employee’s alleged abuse of a minor in our care, and we have worked closely with the sheriff and district attorney to ensure they have the information necessary to investigate and now prosecute this individual,’ said Chief Probation Officer Laura Garnette (right). The sentiment was cosigned by County executive, Jeff Smith, who said: ‘The county has zero tolerance for these deplorable acts against clients in our care’
‘The department took immediate action to report the employee, and implemented steps to prevent this from happening in the future.’
As stated on the county website, James Ranch fits 96 beds for boys aged 15-and-a-half to 18.
There, they receive GED tutoring, vocational training and community service.
The boys also participate in substance abuse counseling and treatment programs, mental health counseling, sex offender counseling, anger management, gang intervention refusal skills, victim awareness and tattoo removal. They can also play sports.