A former San Mateo County correctional officer has been convicted of child molestation and other felonious sexual acts against a young girl he once babysat, as pronounced by a jury this Monday. Joel Olazabal Gudino, found guilty on charges of child molestation and a forcible lewd act, coupled with a special allegation, committed the crimes against a 9-year-old girl from 2012 to 2015. Following the verdict, he was taken into custody without the option of bail, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office confirmed via an X post.
Joel Olazabal Gudino, former corrections officer, guilty by jury of child molest, forcible lewd act, & special allegation, for acts committed against a 9 yr old girl from 2012 to 2015. He was immediately taken into custody with NO BAIL despite objections from his defense counsel. pic.twitter.com/nNocLGHjeM
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) March 13, 2024
Olazabal Gudino, 25, first faced these allegations in 2019 when the victim, then a neighbor and family friend, came forward with harrowing testimony that he had molested her multiple times over a span of three years, initiating the abuse when she was just 8 years old. His predatory behavior continued into her adolescence with sexually explicit messages sent through Snapchat in December 2017, according to detailed reports by the Mercury News.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe highlighted the breach of trust in the case, stating, "There are people in our community such as law enforcement officers, teachers, and priests that we put special trust in, when that special trust is violated, it’s a more egregious offense, and must be taken seriously by us," which underscored the gravity of the crimes committed by someone intended to protect and serve. The San Mateo police supported the victim's accusations with evidence from a monitored phone call in which Olazabal Gudino reportedly admitted to his misconduct.
Despite the incriminating evidence and recent conviction, defense attorney Paula Canny has continued expressing her disappointment in the San Mateo police's handling of the case, and maintains her client's innocence; "I’m super disappointed in the police," Canny told the Mercury News, "They’ve ruined this kid’s life, and I think he’s innocent." She lamented the seemingly permanent damage to Olazabal Gudino's reputation, stating, "This bell can’t get un-rung," emphasizing the irreversible nature of such allegations even in the face of legal vindication.
Olazabal Gudino has been a correctional officer with San Mateo County since 2016, having been arrested and charged in 2019. His employment status following these developments has not been immediately addressed. The case has brought to light the devastating impact of abuse by trusted community figures and the critical importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable among us from those who would exploit their positions of power.
