California Department of Rehabilitation Officer Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minor Ward

By Redaccion
[email protected]

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Azzan Sandhu (DOB 01/26/96), of Fullerton, has been charged with nine felony counts related to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female incarcerated at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF), in Camarillo, California. The charges include seven counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one count of using a child for the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense. Each count also carries a special allegation that Sandhu took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses.

Sandhu was arraigned today and pled not guilty to all charges and allegations.

Sandhu is a peace officer employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and was responsible for the supervision of minor inmates housed at the VYCF. He is accused of committing sexual acts on a 15-year-old female under his supervision between December 2022 and February 2023. Sandhu is further accused of using his cell phone to create CSAM of the victim during the same period.

“The defendant is accused of using his position of trust and authority to sexually abuse a vulnerable female entrusted to his care,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “We will continue to vigorously prosecute any individual who is alleged to have preyed upon and sexually exploited a minor.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Tony Wold, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Sandhu is scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.

Case: 2024006271
Defendant Information:
Azzan Sandhu (DOB 01/26/96)
Fullerton

Charged with:

• (7 counts) PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd act upon a child
• PC 288.3(a) – Luring
• PC 311.4(c) – Using minor for sex acts

Special Allegations:

• CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
• CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense