Former Federal Agent Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Two Women and Preventing Them from Reporting Attacks

            A federal judge sentenced John Jacob Olivas, 48, an ex-special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to life in federal prison for sexually assaulting two women and abusing his official position to prevent them from reporting his violent conduct. In December 2022, after an 11-day trial, a jury found Olivas guilty of three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.  The judge immediately took him into federal custody. 

            Olivas started his career with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2007 and resigned in September 2015 after working as an HSI special agent for over six years. He sexually assaulted the two women in 2012.  Olivas attempted to rape one woman in January 2012 after informing her that the police would not be responsive to any report she would make about Olivas because he was “above a cop,” and “untouchable” and “invisible” to police due to his position as a federal agent. Olivas also threatened the woman that he could make her “disappear,” have her children taken from her, and get her arrested on fake criminal charges.    Olivas raped another woman in September 2012 and in November 2012. Again, Olivas made it clear to the woman that police would not respond to any report she might make about his attacks, causing the woman to believe that he was “invincible” to the criminal justice system. Olivas pointed his HSI-issued service weapon into her back moments before he sexually assaulted her in September 2012.