Hospital Janitor Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Employee

PALO ALTO, CA — A former janitorial supervisor could spend the rest of his life in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually abusing a subordinate inside a Palo Alto hospital room then lying to investigators.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Onofre Salas-Lozano, 42, worked for a contractor that cleaned the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital and was the victim's direct supervisor at the time of the assault.

According to court documents, he isolated and trapped the woman in a patient exam room while working at the hospital late at night on July 2, 2021, and forced her into sexual acts. Prosecutors said the victim suffered traumatic injury from the assault and Salas-Lozano's DNA was found in her undergarments.

The jury determined he also lied about the assault to the VA's Office of Inspector General.

"Salas-Lozano used his position as a supervisor to sexually assault a fellow employee," said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. "Federal law enforcement will do all it can to secure justice for any victim of sexual assault. This jury verdict ensures that Salas-Lazano will now face severe consequences for his despicable acts."

Following a three-week trial, a federal jury convicted Salas-Lozano of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse by fear and making false statements to a federal agent. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, each count of aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse by fear carry a potential life sentence, and a sentencing hearing is pending.

"The verdict sends a clear message that the VA OID remains dedicated to holding those who commit an act of violence at a VA facility accountable," said Dimitriana Nikolov, the Special Agent In Charge of the VA OIG's Northwest Field Office. "The VA OIG is grateful for the commitment of the U.S. Attorney's Office to seek justice for the victim."