WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED AT A CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S PRISON?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (FCI) DUBLIN SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at FCI Dublin in California
Survivors of the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin in California are pursuing legal action for rampant sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by prison staff.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims of systemic sexual misconduct at FCI Dublin, a former low-security federal women’s prison in Alameda County. Investigations into the facility revealed a predatory culture where staff members allegedly operated a “rape club.” Despite the prison’s permanent closure in April 2024, dozens of women have come forward to detail how prison leadership reportedly ignored rampant sexual assault.
Accusations against the facility include forced grooming, sexual acts, inappropriate touching, and coercion. Survivors allege that any attempts to report these crimes were met with severe retaliation.
It is a matter of law that consensual sexual acts cannot exist between an inmate and a supervisor, such as a corrections officer. Even in cases without forcible violence, survivors may be entitled to relief under statutes empowering victims of prison abuse.
As with other female-only jails and prisons across California, FCI Dublin has had a dark legacy of sexual abuse perpetrated against female inmates. This includes years of alleged and substantiated claims involving female inmates being abused by prison guards and staff, as well as investigative reports and internal records indicating that the problem was rampant and well-known for many years. Many women are now bravely coming forward to shine light on this dark history of abuse.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
The History of Sexual Abuse at FCI Dublin in California
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In December 2025, it was reported that nearly 300 additional women were expected to file sexual assault claims and lawsuits against the Bureau of Prisons and individual correctional officers related to abuse at FCI Dublin, following the December 2024 settlement where 103 women were awarded $116 million for the sexual abuse they endured at the facility.
As of 2025, 10 former correctional officers at the prison had been charged with sex crimes.
- In August 2025, two former correctional officers, Jeffrey Wilson and Lawrence Gacad, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing female inmates at the facility.
Wilson worked as a health technician and paramedic at the facility from July 2021 to September 2022. He allegedly targeted an inmate who was taking medication for seizures and encouraged her to transfer to a different area of the prison where there was less staff supervision. Wilson admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the victim on multiple occasions. He also allegedly provided her with contraband, including a cellphone and a pre-paid credit card, which the victim used to send him naked photographs of herself.
Gacad, who served as a correctional officer at the facility between July 2021 and June 2022, allegedly kissed and groped an inmate while assigned as a guard in her housing unit. Gacad admitted to exchanging sexually explicit emails and handwritten notes with the victim. He allegedly used fake names on email accounts to hide his identity and continued to communicate with the victim through video chats even after he resigned from the Bureau of Prisons.
- In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a $115.8 million settlement on behalf of 103 women who survived systematic sexual abuse at the facility.
- In August 2023, eight inmates filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons alleging that a “rape club” involving the current warden and 12 former and current guards subjected them to sexual abuse and exploitation. The plaintiffs, supported by the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, alleged that these abuses occurred despite prior prosecutions and reflected a culture of negligence dating back to the 1990s.
- In June 2023, a federal jury convicted correctional officer John Bellhouse on multiple counts of sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact for offenses committed against two female inmates at FCI Dublin between December 2019 and December 2020.
- In May 2023, former correctional officer Darrell Wayne “Dirty Dick” Smith was arrested on a 12-count indictment for the alleged sexual abuse of three female inmates at FCI Dublin between 2019 and 2021.
- In February 2023, former prison food service foreman Enrique Chavez was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for sexually abusing an inmate in the prison’s food pantry in 2020.
- In December 2022, former warden Ray Garcia was convicted of molesting inmates and forcing them to pose for nude photos.
- In August 2022, James Theodore Highhouse, who worked as a chaplain at the prison, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple female inmates.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other women's prison staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold women's prisons, youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect female inmates.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
California Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims are not able to file claims or recover compensation.
Fortunately, California has recognized that the statute of limitations can act as a barrier to justice for sexual abuse survivors, which research has shown can take years or decades to come to terms with their abuse and the damages it had caused. As such, California passed the Child Victims Act in 2019 to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits. Under the CA Child Victims Act, survivors sexually abused as minors can file claims until age 40 (22 years after turning 18).
In addition, the “Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act” (AB 2777) gives greater protection to those sexually abused when they were 18 years or older. AB 2777 facilitates the pursuit of justice and accountability, enabling survivors to seek legal recourse against institutions that concealed or enabled the abuse. Under existing law, survivors abused when 18 or older may file a lawsuit within 10 years from the date of the abuse and survivors abused after January 1, 2009 may file until December 2026 for any claim that would otherwise be time-barred.
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against a California entity can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at any California women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in representing survivors of sexual abuse in women's prisons. With extensive experience in handling cases of staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct, we have successfully advocated for hundreds of former female inmates across the United States, ensuring that survivors receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Our commitment to holding perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable makes us a trusted ally in the fight against sexual abuse in correctional facilities. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse while incarcerated, Levy Konigsberg offers compassionate and professional legal support to help navigate this challenging time.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.