A probation officer, aged 50, has been accused of sexually abusing a teen inmate at juvenile facility years ago, as filed on Friday. The two deputy sheriffs are also covering up the suicide of Vinetta Martin at a county jail in 2021. The probation officer is identified as Nicole Perales.
Who is Nicole Perales?
Nicole Perales is 50 years old. She is a probation officer with over 20 years of experience.
According to Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, the probation officer identified as Nicole Perales allegedly had oral sex with a 15-year-old inmate from August 27, 2004, to August 26, 2005.
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The seasoned probation department employee with two decades of experience is facing multiple serious criminal charges brought forth by the top prosecutor. If convicted, the defendant could face nearly four years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender.
District Attorney also charged two deputy sheriffs – Sheri Baughman, aged 49, and Amanda Bracamontes, aged 30, for fabricating records to cover up their negligence in the suicide case in Santa Rita Jail.
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The deputies are accused of doctoring logbooks to prove that they followed the procedure of direct visual observation of suicide after Martin alerted staff that she was planning to commit suicide.
DA in the hearing claimed the logbooks didn’t match up with the video evidence. As it showed the deputies repeatedly skipped checking Martin for extended periods.
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According to court records, Vinetta Martin was charged with assault and had been in custody since June 2020.
Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez in a statement said, “The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has cooperated with District Attorney Price’s office in this investigation and will continue to do so going forward”.
