By admin 
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
Read our AI Policy.
- Matthew Troy Babb pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a Yuba County Jail inmate.
- Judge sentenced Babb to three years in prison and lifetime sex-offender registration.
- Prosecutors said Babb took the inmate off jail grounds to an Olivehurst location.
A former Yuba County Jail correctional officer was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a female inmate he took off jail grounds under the pretense of taking her to a medical appointment.
Read more Look out! Sacramento River Cats mascot on scooter hits opposing player, video shows
Matthew Troy Babb, 38, the correctional officer who was employed by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the inmate, the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday in a news release.
Yuba Superior Court records show Babb on June 3 pleaded guilty to a felony charge sexual penetration using force. Felony charges of kidnapping and two counts of sexual battery were dismissed, along with a misdemeanor sexually battery charge that was dropped.
Judge Benjamin Wirtschafter sentenced Babb in a hearing Monday afternoon. In that hearing, the victim’s written impact statement was read in court before Babb was formally sentenced.
“No one regardless of whether they are incarcerated deserves to be sexually assaulted or exploited by someone trusted with authority over them,” she wrote in her statement. “Although what happened will always be a part of my life, I’m working to heal and move forward. I hope that holding the defendant accountable will help prevent others from experiencing the same abuse. And for you Mr. Babb, shame is no longer my burden to carry, it is now yours.”
As part of Babb’s sentence, the judge ordered the former correctional officer to register with local authorities as a convicted sex offender for the rest of his life.
Investigators arrested Babb last October after the inmate reported the sexual assault to jail staff.
Read more ‘Time is of the essence’ to ban AI political ads says US Sen. Adam Schiff
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, gathering security camera video, witness statements and other evidence. Prosecutors said the investigators confirmed Babb had taken the inmate off jail grounds to a location in Olivehurst under the pretense of taking her to a medical appointment.
Following Babb’s arrest last year, sheriff’s officials said Babb had taken the inmate from her housing unit since July 2020, and then taken her to Olivehurst location where he sexually assaulted her.
After learning of the reported sexual assault, the Sheriff’s Office placed Babb on unpaid administrative leave. Prosecutors said his job was terminated following the investigation.
“No one is above the law, and when a public employee abuses a position of trust, they will be held accountable,” Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry said in the news release.
On Tuesday, jail custody records showed Babb was being held at the Nevada County Jail where prior to transfer to a prison.
Read more Golden State Warriors re-signing Draymond Green, but future remains uncertain