September 26, 2023 - Modesto, California – Stanislaus County Sheriff Department officials report on Tuesday, September 26 at 1:45 A.M., Stanislaus Sheriff’s detectives arrested Deputy Matthew Dessert, 40, of Oakdale for violation of 288.5(a) PC (continual sexual abuse of a child), 288 (c)(1) PC (lewd and lascivious acts with a minor 14 or 15 years of age), 289(c) PC (penetration with a foreign object of a victim under the age of 18), 243.4(a) PC (sexual battery), 273d PC (physical abuse of a child).

Sheriff’s detectives were contacted by a school counselor at approximately 8:30 A.M. on Monday, September 25 regarding a student that had disclosed sexual abuse.  Detectives responded to the school to investigate. The teenaged victim knew Deputy Dessert and explained to detectives that the abuse began at the age of nine years old.

Deputy Dessert voluntarily came to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview and was subsequently arrested and booked into jail with $425,000 bail.  Deputy Dessert posted bail and was released a few hours after being booked.

Deputy Dessert has been employed as a patrol deputy for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office since 2014.  He has been placed on paid administrative leave and his peace officer powers have been revoked. 

The investigation is ongoing and if anyone has information regarding this case, they can contact Detective J. Wall at 209-525-7038 or jwall@stansheriff.com.

Due to victim confidentiality, the name of the school will not be released.

Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff Department