John Bellhouse, Sexual Abuse of Inmates, California 2022

Federal Correctional Officer Convicted of Sexually Abusing Inmates at California Prison

A federal jury in California has convicted John Bellhouse, a 40-year-old former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, of five counts involving sexually abusive conduct against two female inmates. The jury delivered the verdict on Monday, following a trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

The charges against Bellhouse, who was initially charged on February 17, 2022, included two counts of sexual abuse and three counts of abusive sexual contact. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on September 29, 2022, expanding the charges to include the second victim. Trial evidence showed that Bellhouse engaged in oral sex with the first victim in the prison Safety Warehouse and Safety Office, and committed abusive sexual contact against her, including touching her vagina and breasts in the Safety Office.

The second victim was also subjected to abusive sexual contact by Bellhouse, including touching her vagina and breasts in the Safety Office at the FCI Dublin Camp. The trial evidence demonstrated that the acts occurred between October and December 2020, while the victim was incarcerated and serving a prison sentence at FCI Dublin under Bellhouse’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority.

“Correctional Officer Bellhouse committed an egregious breach of trust by using the cover of the BOP facility’s Safety Office to sexually abuse individuals in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “This guilty verdict is yet another warning that any Bureau employee who abuses their authority will be held accountable.”

Bellhouse was employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California, an all-female low-security federal correctional institution. The investigation into Bellhouse’s crimes remains ongoing, and the FBI and Inspector General’s office will continue to pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BOP employees.

“Bellhouse violated vulnerable women under his custody and care, and a jury held him accountable for these despicable acts,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Four other FCI Dublin employees, including the former Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexually abusing inmates. Our investigation of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin remains ongoing, and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BOP employees.”

The jury convicted Bellhouse of two counts of sexual abuse of a ward and three counts of abusive sexual conduct. Each count of sexual abuse carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison, and each count of abusive sexual conduct carries a maximum term of two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Bellhouse, a resident of Pleasanton, California, was initially employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California (FCI Dublin), an all-female low-security federal correctional institution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/jury-convicts-federal-correctional-officer-sexual-abuse-two-female-inmates