Correctional Officer Arrested for Child Molestation

By Joe Ybarra, KSEE24 News

July 5, 2012 Updated Jul 5, 2012 at 5:51 PM PDT

Michael Risenhoover of Pixley was arrested Thursday. Deputies say the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Crimes against Children Unit was contacted in March by staff of the Pixley Union School District. Detectives were told that a girl reported that a known suspect, Risenhoover, had been sexually assaulting her over the course three years.

Tulare County Sheriff's Department Lt. Cheri Lehner said, "Obviously it is an atrocity and we of course don't condone that type of behavior. Thanks to the on-going investigation, we will be able to resolve the problem."

Risenhoover immediately resigned his position as a Correctional Deputy after his arrest. He was a nine year veteran with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, working in the Detentions Division.

He is facing eight sexual assault charges, and bail has been set at $1.3 million.

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