California rapist discovered working at counselling service for rape victims

A convicted rapist has been arrested after police say he was discovered working at a counselling service for rape victims in Fresno, California.

Investigators last week received a tip-off from a member of the public that Damon Rodgers, 40, was working as a security guard at Rape Counselling Services (RCS) in North Blackstone Avenue.

Police say when he was arrested last Thursday (27 July), he was carrying a firearm despite being banned due to his 1998 conviction for rape and attempted rape.

"He was followed down the street and ultimately pulled over by ourselves and units from the Southwest Policing District. Mr. Rodgers was cooperative. He was removed from his vehicle and was in possession of a loaded firearm," Israel Reyes, of the Fresno Police Department, told Eyewitness News 47.

Reyes added: "My first reaction was 'wow' – and obviously our concern was obviously rape counseling services provides services for victims who have been sexually assaulted and then you have an individual who is a convicted sex offender for rape and attempted rape working at their facility.

"The optics on that are really bad ... As far as we know there were no victims who were ever disturbed by Mr. Rodgers, but again it's something where an individual like that should not be working at that center."

Staff at RCS have yet to make a comment on the arrest but it is understood the centre used an outside contractors to provide security and had no idea of Rodgers' past.

Rodgers remains in jail charged with being a felon in possession of a gun. He is being held on a $386,000 bail.