BLYTHE - After seven days of listening to trial testimony and taking just under seven hours to deliberate, 12 jurors found Michael Glenn Roppolo, 42, guilty of the rape of a drugged victim Sept. 24. He was acquitted of the charge of rape of an unconscious victim. Roppolo had been a correctional officer at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison right up to his conviction.
The guilty verdict came after the Riverside County District Attorney's Office charged Roppolo with two felony rape counts, one count for rape of an unconscious victim and the other for rape of a drugged victim, after a report of rape that occurred back on Oct. 28, 2007.
On that date, Blythe Police received a call that a rape had been committed and interrupted by two witnesses in the 300 block of N. First St.
According to police, witnesses told them they had interrupted a sexual assault committed by Roppolo and when confronted, Roppolo fled the scene.
Blythe Police detectives arrived on scene to conduct the investigation. Later the same morning, Roppolo returned to the residence and surrendered to officers.
Roppolo was arrested and booked into Blythe Jail for rape.
He later bailed out of jail on a $50,000 bond.
In the nearly two years since the incident, the case was delayed numerous times by the defendant's counsel who requested continuances. At one point on Oct. 16, 2008, a bench warrant for Roppolo was issued for a failure to appear. The next day, with Roppolo in court, the bench warrant was recalled and his bond was reinstated.
Beginning Sept. 14, jurors heard testimony from 10 prosecution witnesses, including the victim, while the defense had only one witness, Roppolo.
The jurors also reviewed evidence including pictures of the location of the rape and the victim's injuries.
After both sides rested and just prior to the jury beginning deliberations, one juror was replaced with an alternate.
A statement released from Chuckawalla Valley State Prison said, "as a result of the court's decision Sept. 24, Roppolo will be facing administration action which may result in termination."
Blythe Police Chief Steve Smith commented, "many hours of investigative time was put in by six Blythe Police Department employees. Because of their dedication, attention to details and investigative skills, the district attorney's office was able to successfully prosecute this case."
Steve Smith thanked the department's employees and the Riverside County District Attorneys office for what he said was a job well done and for bringing a felon to justice.
Roppolo remains free on bail. He will be sentenced Nov. 20 and faces anywhere from 3-8 years in prison.
CORRECTION: There were nine prosecution witnesses and two defense witnesses, one being Roppolo.
Posted: Saturday, December 05, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
It's a sad day in Calif when a convicted rapist gets a year in the county jail. I'm sure he has a lot of Homies working there. His behind needs to be sent to Mule Creek for a long time.
Posted: Monday, October 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Monica Lauren
Two Felony Rape counts, and Chuckawalla says, Roppollo MAY be TERMINATED?...Whereas....
Until last July, 2008 I was a vendor at Chuckawalla for 9 years. I quit July 23, 2008 notifying 4 employees via email that I would not be going up there as scheduled to work at the end of August 2008 (because the Warden, John Salazar jacked up my prices a whoppiing 40%, overcharging all the inmates and everyone was furious. I faxed him a nice letter asking him to lower it back down to 20% so my prices would be value for dollar, but he refused...so I quit.
Then I wrote a letter to 2 of my longtime inmate helpers, telling them that I would not be going there to work due to the price hike..which I couldn't work with..they already knew that.
So, for writing to my 2 inmates helpers, ONE MONTH AFTER I QUIT...Capt. (deleted) sent out an email to other prisons telling them that THEY Terminated me... due to an "over-familiar relationship to an inmate"(what?...writing one Business Letter, letting my helpers know that I quit so they would know to expect someone else?) And how can a person be TERMINATED ONE FULL MONTH AFTER the person already QUIT?
So, if anyone from this planet... with a brain, can figure out how writing a BUSINESS letter to an inmate helper justifies
"termination" ....but TWO COUNTS of FELONY RAPE only constitutes POSSIBLE termination?
If anyone can figure out that kind of 'logic' let me know!
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Posted: Friday, October 09, 2009
Article comment by:
DTB
First of all to you people who don't seem to get it..... when ANY woman who says NO to sex and a man decides to take it anyway it is known as RAPE. Second why is he only getting 3-8 years? Many rapists and that is what he is now; get much longer sentences. Third, those of you that "walk the toughest beat in the state" give me a break. I have watched over and over what you do all day. Most of you just do things that make you feel powerful because it is the only place in your life where you have or think you have any power. Respect is earned not given. I think you should have some conversations with our soldiers coming back from war they walk the toughest beat period!! Don't take it out on the inmates or their families just because YOU made a bad career choice. Your career choice was about the almighty dollar and nothing more. You don't care about public safety or rehabilitation or anything other HUMAN BEINGS need but yourself.
Posted: Sunday, October 04, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
It's surprising that so many of these comments are about get your facts straight or druged or intoxicated or this or that. He admited he raped her period. 12 jurors took 7 hours to find him guilty that's it. If you don't beleive in the justice system, well too bad it works!
Posted: Friday, October 02, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
The reason why this officer gets hit, kicked, head split open is that this people are not really trained like real cops. Have you seen some this C/Os'? Some of them are OVERWEIGHT!!! Toughest beat in the state... yeah right! No wonder you people gets beaten up... Prisoners are healthier than you. You know how you get overweight, right? Inactivity... yes... you people just sit around all day.. eating out of your lunch pail. So do me a favor Dear Cake Walk... just stop pretending. Unless you want to be real cop... patrol the streets where the gangmembers are not chained and are armed to the teeth with real weapons and not just with "shanks", and no gunners to protect you...
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Dear Cake Walk
I have seen officers hit, kicked, head split open, stabbed and feces thrown on them. Thats a cake walk?? Ask your c/o friends that say its the easiest money they ever made what a LOP is. They will know. And by the way my arms are not pumped up and I am not a dude.
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
everyone
she's no that means no you sick weirdo see how you like it UP.!state
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
You said it so well. How true it was in this case.
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
NO NAME
ITS A SHAME THAT A WOMAN ONLY HAS TO SAY RAPE AND A MANS LIFE IS CHANGED 4 EVER,GUESS ITS EASIER TO SAY RAPE AND SAVE FACE WITH ONES HUSBAND INSTEAD OF SAYING THE TRUTH
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
He probably walks around with his arms all pumped up and wears a tank top. Get a clue dude! Teachers have a harder job than you and should get paid more than you. I have plenty of C/O friends and believe me they don't have your attitude of having the toughest job in the state. They say it is cake and the easiest money they have ever made. Quit making it out to being more than it is. Try being a real cop. Work the streets and then you will know what a real job is. And no I am not a cop just a very sarcastic person who can't stand hearing crap like that.
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
tough guy cop!
sounds like someone should have went to top cop school but couldn't get in so they settled for c/o instead. dude stop commenting your making the department look bad
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
that's crazy 300 block of N first street what school is located there a kids school
Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Haha! Toughest beat in the state? I'm pretty sure the city dog catcher has a tougher "beat" than these overpaid baby sitters.
Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Sounds like you wouldnt last 1 day working behind the walls. I am not ashamed,I have worked it and you evidently have not because you do not understand the stress and danger of the job. So gimme a break until you have worked the toughtest beat in the state dont embarrass yourself when you dont know what you are talking about.
Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
THIS HAPPENED IN A CLASS ROOM? WHAT CLASSROOM? THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT!
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