Yuba County Jail officer arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting inmate
A Yuba County correctional officer was arrested for taking an inmate off jail grounds then allegedly sexually assaulting her.
A female inmate at the Yuba County Jail reported to staff that she was sexually assaulted by Matthew Troy Babb, a correctional officer employed by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
A sheriff’s investigation determined that Babb, employed at the Yuba County Jail since July 2020, had removed the inmate from her housing unit under the pretense of a medical appointment, then instead transported her to Olivehurst where he allegedly sexually assaulted her, the release said.
The investigation confirmed that Babb “transported the inmate to multiple locations prior to and following the incident,” the release said.
Babb, 38, was booked into the Placer County Jail at around 10 p.m. Friday, according to online booking records. He was released Saturday morning.
Babb is on unpaid administrative leave, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Katy Goodson. Babb is a member of the union that represents deputies.
The Sheriff’s Office news release said the case will be forwarded to the district attorney for review.
The district attorney will then review the case and determine which charges to file, if any, said Yuba County spokesperson Rachel Abbott.
“This conduct is unacceptable, and a betrayal of the trust placed in our office and our correctional staff,” Yuba County Sheriff Wendell Anderson said in the release. “The safety and dignity of those in our custody is a top priority, and we are committed to full transparency and accountability in this matter.”
Babb earned a base salary of about $59,000 last year, according to Transparent California.
This story was originally published October 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM.
