California Prison Cook Faces Rape Allegations from Incarcerated Women
Two women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino are demanding criminal prosecution against a former staff cook they accuse of sexually assaulting them in 2020. The women, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, allege that Marcus Johnson, a supervisory cook at the facility, raped them while they worked under his supervision in prison kitchen jobs earning less than 40 cents per hour.
Substantiated Findings and Delayed Justice
In a rare outcome for prison sexual abuse claims, investigators with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) determined that Jane Doe 1's allegations against Johnson were "substantiated," meaning they concluded the assault "determined to have occurred." She was informed of this finding in March 2024, nearly four years after initially reporting the abuse. However, Jane Doe 2's claims were deemed "unsubstantiated" due to insufficient evidence.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's office confirmed that CDCR referred Johnson's case to prosecutors in 2024, and they are currently reviewing it for possible criminal charges. District Attorney Jason Anderson acknowledged that prison abuse cases present significant prosecution challenges, including delays in reporting, lack of physical evidence, and questions about victim credibility.
Detailed Allegations of Abuse and Threats
According to federal civil complaints filed in October 2025, both women described similar patterns of abuse and intimidation. Jane Doe 1 alleges that in April 2020, Johnson threatened her with disciplinary action for taking vegetables from the kitchen, then forced her into a bathroom where he raped her. She claims he warned that if she reported him, "no one would believe her" and he would counter-accuse her of assault.
Jane Doe 2 alleges that in June 2020, Johnson raped her in a manager's office after she asked for a cleaning towel. She reported screaming for help during the assault but believes no one heard her. Both women say they initially feared reporting the abuse due to Johnson's threats of retaliation and potential extension of their sentences.
Psychological Impact and Institutional Failures
The women describe severe psychological consequences from the assaults and subsequent investigations. Jane Doe 1 experienced suicidal thoughts and required emergency mental health intervention. She criticized investigators for asking victim-blaming questions during interviews, including whether she had "flirted" with Johnson.
Jane Doe 2 said the assault triggered memories of childhood sexual abuse and left her feeling "dirty" and disbelieved. Medical records show her mental health deteriorated significantly after the alleged assault, leading prison clinicians to recommend her removal from kitchen work despite the financial hardship this caused.
Broader Pattern of Prison Sexual Abuse
The allegations emerge amid growing concerns about sexual abuse within California's prison system. State data reveals that out of more than 700 adjudicated staff sexual abuse claims across 2023 and 2024, internal investigators substantiated only 17 cases. Few staff members ultimately face criminal prosecution despite numerous allegations.
Civil rights attorney Jenny Huang, representing both women, noted that multiple sexual abuse complaints had been filed about the CIW kitchen since 2017. "When you get multiple sexual abuse complaints about the same work area, that should be a red flag," Huang stated. "Had the prison taken action, these rapes could have been prevented."
Defendant's Response and Current Status
Reached by phone, Johnson vehemently denied all allegations: "I fully deny those claims. I have never been aggressive towards a woman for anything and especially for a sexual reason." He acknowledged being placed on paid administrative leave in 2020 and later resigning from CDCR, stating the prolonged investigation kept him "in limbo" and affected his career prospects.
Johnson currently works in food service outside the prison system. He has not filed responses to the civil lawsuits and does not have legal representation listed in those cases.
Calls for Systemic Reform
Advocates argue that the case highlights systemic failures in addressing prison sexual abuse. Colby Lenz of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners emphasized the need for pathways allowing abuse survivors to be released: "There is no escape from the abuse and retaliation. We should be prioritizing bringing these victims home where they can access services and heal."
Both Jane Does continue to push for Johnson's prosecution, hoping to prevent future victims. "I feel like I have to do my part to keep people away who are a danger to women," said Jane Doe 2. "I'm doing this for all women. I want everybody to know that we matter."
