Patrol officer accused of sexually assaulting two women, CA officials say

A highway patrol officer was arraigned after being accused of sexually assaulting two women while off duty, California officials said.

Vida Gonzalez, 21, of Oroville, who had graduated from the California Highway Patrol academy before the alleged crimes, was assigned to the Redwood City office, according to an April 25 Facebook post by the Butte County Deputy District Attorneys’ Association.

McClatchy News reached out to the California Highway Patrol on April 28 for a statement and was awaiting a response.

In February, a woman reported being sexually assaulted by Gonzalez in her car after their date, officials said.

Another woman said she was hanging out with Gonzalez when he sexually assaulted her, officials said.

He was not on duty either time, officials said.

The two women knew Gonzalez through previous relationships and social settings, officials said.

He was placed on administrative leave at the time of the reports and no longer is employed by the California Highway Patrol, officials said.

He is facing charges of felony sexual assault and felony assault, officials said.

Gonzalez is being held in jail and received no bail “due to public safety concerns,” officials said. He will reappear in court May 7, prosecutors said.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation into Gonzalez is asked to call 916-731-6580, officials said.

Butte County is about an 80-mile drive north of Sacramento.

This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Patrol officer accused of sexually assaulting two women, CA officials say."