Deputy, social worker accused of sexual assaults on inmates at Santa Barbara County Jail

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KTLA )-- The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office arrested a deputy and a jail social worker Friday on allegations of sexually assaulting inmates at the county's Main Jail.

Deputy Gabriel Castro, 47, of Ventura, surrendered to detectives in Ventura County and was booked on suspicion of forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object, as well as sexual activity with a person in custody, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said in a written statement.

Salvador Vargas, 34, a social worker who served as a discharge planner at the jail, was arrested at his Santa Maria home, officials said. He faces charges of forcible oral copulation and sexual activity with a person in custody.

The investigation began in August of 2018 after an inmate reported abuse, officials said. Castro and Vargas were both placed on administrative leave in September of 2018, officials said.

Prosecutors filed charges and issues arrest warrants for both suspects on Thursday.