Fresno Correctional Officer Arrested for Smuggling Drugs Into Juvenile Facility

A Fresno County juvenile correctional officer was arrested by deputies at his Sanger home on Wednesday morning and charged with the felony of smuggling drugs into the Juvenile Justice Center.

Robert Lopez, 48, faces one felony count of drug smuggling. (Fresno County SO)

Robert Lopez, 48, later posted bail of $5,000 and is now out of jail.

His first court date is scheduled for Aug. 15.

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“Our juvenile correctional officers are in a critical position of trust and are often the primary adults and even role models with whom our youth interact,” Fresno County Chief Probation Officer Kirk Haynes said in a news release. “The arrest of JCO Robert Lopez for selling, furnishing, or giving away illegal drugs to a person in custody at the Juvenile Justice Campus reveals unacceptable and abhorrent behavior, especially from someone in a position of authority and trust.

“Criminal behavior of peace officers in our employ will not be tolerated. Our probation department will fully cooperate with our fellow Fresno County District Attorney and Sheriff in this investigation, and continue to work on procedures to prevent this type of criminal act from occurring in our department.”

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