A former San Francisco Sheriff’s deputy is facing multiple felony charges after prosecutors allege he sexually assaulted a transgender woman while she was incarcerated in county jail, raising fresh concerns about the safety of transgender people in correctional facilities and the abuse of authority by those entrusted with their care.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that 34-year-old Damon Jones has been charged with forcible oral copulation under color of authority and dissuading a witness after an investigation into an alleged assault that took place in September 2025 inside County Jail No. 2. Jones, who is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office, was arrested this week and is expected to face arraignment in San Francisco Superior Court.
According to prosecutors, the alleged victim is a transgender woman who was housed in the jail at the time of the incident. Authorities allege Jones used his position as a deputy to coerce the woman into performing oral sex in a jail restroom. Prosecutors further claim he later threatened to transfer her to a less safe housing unit if she reported what had happened.
The investigation began after the woman reported the alleged assault and preserved DNA evidence, which investigators say was later matched to Jones through forensic testing. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins praised the victim for coming forward despite the challenges incarcerated survivors often face.
“Individuals in custody are among the most vulnerable members of our community,” Jenkins said in announcing the charges, emphasizing that correctional officers who exploit their authority will be held accountable.
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office confirmed Jones was terminated following the allegations. Officials said the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward employee misconduct and cooperated fully with the criminal investigation.
The case arrives during a troubling week for the Sheriff’s Office. Earlier this week, another deputy was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery after allegedly touching a female inmate’s breast without consent during questioning about her body. Prosecutors have stressed the two cases are unrelated, but the back-to-back arrests have intensified scrutiny of conditions inside San Francisco’s jail system.
For transgender people in custody, the allegations underscore longstanding concerns about safety behind bars. National advocacy organizations have repeatedly documented that transgender inmates face disproportionately high rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse while incarcerated, particularly when power imbalances leave them vulnerable to exploitation by both fellow inmates and correctional staff.
While the charges against Jones remain allegations until proven in court, the case serves as another reminder that incarcerated transgender people deserve the same legal protections, bodily autonomy, and dignity afforded to every person. As the criminal proceedings move forward, advocates will be watching closely to see whether the case prompts broader reforms aimed at protecting one of the correctional system’s most vulnerable populations.
