SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA — A certified nursing assistant faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sexually assaulting vulnerable patients at nursing homes and hospice facilities across California, according to law enforcement authorities.
Kayode Agbode Ogunba, 61, of Los Angeles, was arrested on January 20, 2026, on a Santa Barbara County warrant and booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail with bail set at $100,000, as reported by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. He faces two counts of sexual penetration by foreign object, two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a dependent adult by force, elder abuse charges, and a sentencing enhancement for offenses against multiple victims.
The investigation began when a care home on South Patterson Road in Goleta reported on November 3, 2025, that two dependent adult patients had been sexually assaulted by Ogunba the previous day, according to sheriff's detectives. Ogunba entered not guilty pleas to all felony charges at his January 22, 2026, arraignment, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 30, 2026.
Expanding Investigation Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Since information about Ogunba's arrest became public, multiple additional survivors have come forward, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff's detectives as of February 5, 2026. The Los Angeles Police Department has opened a separate investigation following reports of a related sexual assault by a patient in Los Angeles, as reported by LAPD Northeast Sexual Assault Detectives.
Law enforcement officials believe Ogunba's employment through various temporary staffing agencies gave him access to numerous potential victims across multiple jurisdictions. According to investigators, he worked as a certified nursing assistant and home health aide at nursing homes, hospice facilities, and in-home care settings throughout California over a seven-year period.
Records indicate Ogunba also worked in Pawnee County, Kansas, and Glendora, California, in addition to previous employment in Washington and Texas, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. Investigators are working to identify additional potential victims across these jurisdictions.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office has filed felony charges including sexual penetration of dependent persons, lewd and lascivious acts by a caretaker against a dependent person involving force, elder abuse, and misdemeanor sexual battery of a dependent adult, according to court documents. The sentencing enhancement for offenses against more than one victim reflects the multi-victim nature of the alleged crimes.
Detectives noted that similar prior allegations involving Ogunba had been reported in the Los Angeles area, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. LAPD Detectives Theodore Bridges and Michelle Gomez are leading the Los Angeles investigation and can be reached at (323) 561-3272 or via email at 37923@lapd.online or 34514@lapd.online.
Calls during non-business hours can be made to (877) 527-3247, according to the LAPD. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
Vulnerable Patient Protections
Federal regulations under the Nursing Home Reform Act require all nursing facilities participating in Medicare or Medicaid to ensure residents are free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Facilities must conduct thorough background checks on all employees who have direct contact with residents, including temporary staff employed through agencies.
California state law mandates that healthcare facilities report suspected abuse of dependent adults and elders to local law enforcement and Adult Protective Services within two hours of observation or notification. Licensed healthcare professionals, including certified nursing assistants, are considered mandated reporters under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act.
The California Department of Public Health oversees licensing and inspection of skilled nursing facilities and can impose civil penalties, suspend admissions, or revoke licenses for facilities that fail to protect residents from abuse or neglect.
Support Services Available
Victim-witness assistance for those affected by the alleged assaults is available through the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office at (805) 568-2400, according to law enforcement officials. Detective Arnoldi with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office can be reached at (805) 681-4150 for information related to the investigation.
Anyone with information about the alleged assaults or additional potential victims is urged to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency based on where the incident occurred. The multi-jurisdictional nature of the investigation requires coordination between agencies across multiple states.
Resources for Families
Families concerned about the safety of loved ones in nursing homes or hospice facilities can contact the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at 1-800-677-1116. Ombudsmen serve as independent advocates for residents in long-term care facilities and can investigate complaints confidentially.
Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of nursing home residents should be reported immediately to local law enforcement and the state licensing authority. In California, reports can be made to Adult Protective Services through county agencies or by calling the statewide hotline.
Family members who observe signs of potential abuse—including unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, fear of specific staff members, or reluctance to discuss care—should document their observations and report concerns to facility administrators, ombudsmen, and law enforcement as appropriate.
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