Lake County deputy from Willits arrested for assaulting woman inmate, then released on OR
Bear in mind, this is all from a law enforcement press release. One cannot access actual court files any longer so we have no way of following up on these cases, so you will never get any version of crime in 2026 other than the DA and law enforcement. People TRULY are innocent until proven guilty and no charges have been brought. That only happens when the district attorney examines a case and decides to file lesser charges, dismiss or file more charges. We can never know this now, our criminal court system is locked up tight thanks to illegal rulings by the California Judicial Council.
A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy from Willits was arrested by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at the Lake County jail, on charges he coerced her into oral copulation and sex under fear of reprisal. There is no allegation of physical force, only that this was perpetrated by a big, powerful guard who had control of the situation and could have relatiated against her. And that none of this is allowable for a deputy to do in a jail regardless of circumstances.
The arrested corrections officer is Daniel Constancio Jr., 37, of Willits. He voluntarily turned himself in to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies. He was then booked into the Mendocino County Jail, where he was then released, according to the jail records. Jail records show “bail to appear which is shorthand the county uses for “released on his own recognizance.”
Constancio entered law enforcement in 2019 as a community services officer for the city of Clearlake Police Department, a Lake County News article from that time says.
“Constancio was born and raised in Sacramento and graduated from Roseville High School. While prior to his swearing in, he had served in the city’s Public Works Department, with his long-term goal to be a police officer.
The city reported that Constancio comes from a family of first responders and is looking forward to beginning his training as a community service officer, ” the Lake County News reported back in April, 2019
Because a Lake County deputy was involved, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation and made the arrest. The deputy did not have to go back to the same jail where he worked, which is generally considered dangerous for all.
The alleged assaults were not reported for more than a year. The attack is alleged to have taken place in early 2024. The rest is taken directly from the press release we got from Lake County.
The rest is quoted directly from the press release. All we have was taken from the press release and the jail records. There is no such thing as public court records now.
“During the investigation, Detectives interviewed the involved parties and witnesses. Based on the evidence gathered, Detectives determined Constancio engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with the victim while she was incarcerated at the Hill Road Correctional Facility in 2024.”
On February 12, 2026, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Constancio for 289.6(a)(2) PC, 287 (E) PC, and 243.4 (E)(1) PC. Constancio voluntarily surrendered himself the same day and was booked into the Mendocino County Jail.
We could find nothing about him prior to the arrests, other than an entry in Transparent California which reports the pay of public servants. This was from 2024.
| Total pay & benefits: | $138,699.70 |
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The Lake County Sheriff’s Office takes allegations of misconduct seriously and is committed to accountability, transparency, and the safety of those in our care. Any criminal behavior by an employee is a violation of the public trust and will be investigated thoroughly.
As creepy as this crime sounds, to me the fact that 20 media sites will put the press release up exactly as sent to them is almost as crazy. We actually check on press releases and try to find the humn stories.
If anyone believes they have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Marcos De La Torre at (707) 262-4231 or the Major Crimes Unit Tip Line at 707-262-4088.
