Ex-prison guard sentenced for sexually abusing inmates

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A former federal prison guard is going to prison himself for sexually abusing several women inmates in Southern California.

Apolonio Gamez of Lake Elsinore was given a two-year sentence Monday. He’ll also have to register as a sex offender.

Gamez worked at the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville.

Prosecutors say he had sex with inmates there in 2016 and 2017. In a plea agreement, Gamez said that in one case, he ordered an inmate to have sex after he caught her stealing food and sentenced to send her to a special housing unit.

Gamez pleaded guilty last fall to sexual abuse and attempted sexual abuse of a ward.