California Prison Cook Faces Rape Allegations from Incarcerated Women
Two women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino have publicly accused a former staff cook of sexually assaulting them in 2020, urging prosecutors to file criminal charges. The women, identified in federal civil complaints as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, allege that Marcus Johnson, a supervisory cook at the prison, raped them while they worked under him in kitchen jobs earning less than 40 cents per hour.
Substantiated and Unsubstantiated Findings
In a rare outcome, prison investigators deemed Jane Doe 1's claim "substantiated," meaning they determined the assault occurred. She was informed of this conclusion in March 2024, nearly four years after first reporting the allegations. Conversely, Jane Doe 2's claim was found "unsubstantiated" due to insufficient evidence. Both women spoke exclusively to the Guardian from CIW, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility located one hour east of Los Angeles.
"I don't want this to happen to anybody else," Jane Doe 1 stated in an interview. "It felt like because he worked for CDCR, it gave him the license to rape. The whole point of us doing an investigation was so he could get prosecuted and that still hasn't happened. It's devastating."
Johnson, reached by phone, vehemently denied the allegations: "I fully deny those claims. I have never been aggressive towards a woman for anything and especially for a sexual reason." He confirmed he was placed on paid administrative leave in 2020 and later resigned, citing the prolonged investigation process.
Detailed Allegations of Abuse and Threats
The women's complaints, filed in October 2025 against Johnson and CDCR officials, detail harrowing accounts. Jane Doe 1 alleges that in April 2020, Johnson threatened her with a disciplinary violation for "stealing vegetables" before forcing her into a bathroom where he raped her. "While he raped Jane Doe 1, Johnson threatened that if she reported him, no one would believe her," the lawsuit states. She reported a second assault in June 2020.
Jane Doe 2 alleges Johnson raped her in June 2020 after she asked for a cleaning towel. "Jane Doe 2 screamed out for help but no one seemed to hear her," her lawyer wrote. She later developed symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease and was prescribed antibiotics.
Systemic Issues and Low Prosecution Rates
The cases emerge amid growing reports of rampant sexual abuse within CDCR. State data reveals that out of over 700 adjudicated staff sexual abuse claims in 2023 and 2024, only 17 were substantiated, with very few resulting in criminal charges. Last year, former guard Gregory Rodriguez was convicted of abusing nine women and sentenced to 224 years, highlighting systemic failures.
Jason Anderson, San Bernardino County District Attorney, confirmed his office received Johnson's case referral in 2024 and is reviewing it for possible charges. "It's very infrequent for the CDCR to refer staff sexual misconduct cases to our office," Anderson noted, explaining that prison abuse cases are challenging to prosecute due to delayed reporting, lack of physical evidence, and credibility questions about incarcerated victims.
Lasting Trauma and Calls for Justice
Both women describe severe psychological impacts. Jane Doe 1 experienced suicidal thoughts and felt interrogated by investigators who asked "What did I do for him to bring that on me?" Jane Doe 2, who felt "dirty" after the assault, said being deemed unsubstantiated made her feel "cheated and very angry. They are basically calling me a liar."
Civil rights lawyer Jenny Huang, representing both women, argued the prison failed to act on red flags: "When you get multiple sexual abuse complaints about the same work area, that should be a red flag. Had the prison taken action, these rapes could have been prevented." The suits allege at least four other supervising cooks at CIW were reported for sexual abuse since 2017.
CDCR did not respond to inquiries about the lawsuits. Attorneys for the department have moved to dismiss claims against prison officials, arguing Johnson's removal eliminates future harm risk. The California Justice Department declined to comment.
Colby Lenz of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners emphasized: "There is no escape from the abuse and retaliation. We should be prioritizing bringing these victims home where they can access services and heal from horrific state violence."
Both Jane Does continue to advocate for prosecution. "I feel like I have to do my part to keep people away who are a danger to women," said Jane Doe 2. "I'm doing this for all women. I want everybody to know that we matter."
