On a grim episode that shook the community of Galt, deliberations came to a close earlier this month when justice was served to a former caretaker convicted of sexually abusing elderly residents. The Galt Police Department responded to alarming reports on January 24 at the Rancho Seco Care Center, according to the Galt Police Department statement on their Facebook page. The ensuing investigation spiraled into a harrowing discovery of multiple victims at the hands of a trusted staff member.
The accused, 23-year-old Justin Atkinson of Stockton was a nursing assistant, employed at the facility for just six weeks, but in that timeframe, he engaged in a series of violating acts against seven male residents aged between 60 to 87 years. Galt Police Department reports that following the complaints, rigorous interviews were conducted with every resident and member of the staff to uncover the depth of Atkinson's misconduct. He was taken into custody on January 28, before he could work another shift, thus barring further access to residents.
Last Saturday, Atkinson was sentenced to nine years in state prison for multiple sex crimes involving victims who couldn’t give consent due to mental illness, physical disability, or being in medical care. After his release, he will be required to register for life as a Tier 3 sex offender—the most serious level—because he’s considered a high risk to public safety and likely to re-offend. This status cannot be removed, as per the Galt Police Department.
