Convicted rapist found to be 'working as security guard at rape crisis centre'

Tip from public leads to arrest over alleged possession of a firearm by a felon

Rodgers is being held in jail

A convicted rapist has reportedly been found working as a security guard at a California rape counselling centre.

According to CBS47 Fresno, a tip led Fresno police officers to make contact with Damon Rodgers, who had been convicted of rape and attempted rape in 1998, who was arrested over possession of a firearm. He had been working as a security guard at Rape Counseling Services in Fresno.

“Rape counselling services provides services for victims who have been sexually assaulted and then you have an individual who is a convicted sex offender for rape and attempted rape working at their facility. The optics on that are really bad,” Fresno police spokesman Israel Reyes told CBS47.

“As far as we know there were no victims who were ever disturbed by Rodgers, but again it's something where an individual like that should not be working at that centre,” Mr Reyes added.

Officials said that Rodgers worked with an outside security company and the crisis centre had no prior knowledge of his past. Mr Reyes said that without the tip from the public, they may not have made the arrest as "all indications" pointed to Rodgers being "a compliant sex registrant".

According to Fresno Sheriff's Department records, Rodgers was booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon. Bail was set at $386,000