Local psychologist booked on suspicion of raping patient

From KSBY 6

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Deputies arrest a former clinical psychologist on rape charges. Doctor Fernando Cordero used to work for the county's Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services in Santa Maria.

Deputies say a woman currently in jail accused Cordero of coercing her into a sexual relationship for more than three years by threatening to have her put back in jail. While investigating, another former patient said she was propositioned and accosted by Cordero.

Deputies arrested Cordero at his home in Orcutt last Friday.

Detectives are in contact with a possible third victim and believe there may be more.

See also this report from the Santa Maria Times

An Orcutt psychologist has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 44-year-old female patient while he was working for Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

Fernando Cordero, 65, was arrested at his Orcutt home Nov. 9, according to a Sheriff's Department press release.

The woman, who is now in County Jail on theft charges, told investigators late last month that she was coerced into a sexual relationship with Cordero more than three years ago, when she was his patient at a county ADMHS facility on Foster Road in Santa Maria. He allegedly told her he would put her in jail if she did not comply with his sexual demands.

During the investigation, another former patient of Cordero also came forward with allegations that he had propositioned her to have sex and had physically accosted her, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Cordero apparently “has targeted Hispanic females with past abuse, mental health issues and questionable legal status in the United States,” added Sgt. Erik Raney.

Cordero was jailed on suspicion of committing rape under color of authority and subsequently released, after posting $100,000 bail. No information was available about when his court arraignment is scheduled.

Detectives are asking that anyone with relevant information about Cordero, or other potential victims, call the Santa Maria sheriff's substation at 805-934-6170.