Former City Of Beaumont Director Charged With Raping Teen Girl

BEAUMONT, CA — Retired Beaumont Community Services Director Robert Sherwood has been charged with serious crimes, including rape and lewd acts with a child, that allegedly occurred when he and the underage victim both served with the city.

Sherwood, who retired from his city post in July 2018, was extradited from Clark County, Nevada, and booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on May 26. During his May 30 arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to one count of rape by fear/force, two counts of a lewd and lascivious act on a child, two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object, and two counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor. All of the charges are felonies.

Now in her 30s, the victim did not come forward until July 29, 2022. She told the Beaumont Police Department that Sherwood began sexually assaulting her more than 20 years prior when she was a teen working for the city. Sherwood was her supervisor, according to a May 9 declaration in support of the arrest warrant that was filed in Riverside County.

It's not clear whether the victim was actually a city employee or a volunteer or what her duties entailed at the time of the alleged abuse.

Sherwood was employed by the city of Beaumont from 1996 until his retirement on July 1, 2018, city spokesperson Julie Van Hook confirmed. He held the title of Community Services Director at the time of the alleged crimes until his departure. As director, he supervised the city's parks and recreation operations.

Sherwood also served as head coach for girls soccer at Beaumont High School during the time of the alleged crimes.

According to the declaration and an April 30 felony complaint against Sherwood, those crimes took place from about August 2001 to February 2002 in Beaumont when the victim was between the ages of 14 and 15 years old.

The victim recalled several incidents in which Sherwood sexually assaulted her, including forced intercourse, according to the declaration signed by Beaumont Police Department Detective M. Acosta.

After reporting her allegations to police in 2022, the victim cooperated with investigators, including participating in a monitored phone call with Sherwood. During the conversation, he did not contest allegations that he sexually assaulted her at a vulnerable time in her life.

"I don't understand how you say that you tried to help me when you were having sex with me when I was a 15-16-year-old girl," the victim told Sherwood over the phone.

He allegedly responded, "I do feel sorry I couldn't help you in a different way."

Investigators later interviewed Sherwood and he denied all of the allegations.

Riverside County jail records show he was released from custody May 30 after posting bail and is due to appear in court for an Aug. 9 felony settlement conference in which attorneys from both sides will try to negotiate a resolution in the case. According to the court documents, Sherwood lives in Las Vegas; he left California on November 14, 2019.

Patch left a message for Sherwood's attorney.

An archived Record Gazette article reported Sherwood's city of Beaumont retirement.

"We appreciate the many years he has dedicated to the Beaumont community and wish him well in his future endeavors," a city statement read.

An emailed statement Thursday from the city read: "The City of Beaumont is aware that Robert Sherwood, a former city employee, has been arrested for crimes he allegedly committed decades ago involving a female who was a minor at the time.

"The Beaumont Police Department independently conducted the investigation that led to Mr. Sherwood’s arrest," the statement continued. "We understand there is a criminal case pending that was filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

"We respect the independent process now led by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and have full confidence in their work," according to the city. "We understand the importance and gravity of the investigation into this matter. Still, the city will not comment on it other than to provide the timing of Mr. Sherwood’s employment by the city to ensure that we don’t adversely impact the ongoing investigation and criminal case. Any other inquiries about the Sherwood case should be directed to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office."