CHP Officer Vidal Gonzalez Wore the Badge for Two Weeks Before a Sexual Misconduct Investigation Began.

 

Rookie CHP Officer Vidal Gonzalez Sexually Assaulted Women. A Jury Convicted Him.

Vidal Gonzalez had barely started his career with the California Highway Patrol.

He graduated from the CHP Academy in January 2025.

He worked as an officer for two weeks before CHP began investigating him for sexual misconduct.

The case began after a 19-year-old woman reported that Gonzalez sexually assaulted her inside a vehicle.

Then other women testified.

At trial, prosecutors presented allegations involving women in Oroville, Chico, and Mexico. In February 2026, a Butte County jury convicted Gonzalez of sexual assault. He later pleaded no contest to another sex offense involving another victim.

In May 2026, Gonzalez was sentenced to eight years in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Prosecutors said Gonzalez showed no remorse and was dishonest with investigators throughout the case.

Two weeks.

That is how long he wore the badge before he was already under investigation for sexual misconduct.