Former Beaumont city manager accused of raping teenage girl

In total, Robert Powell Sherwood, 62, is charged with seven counts related to the sexual abuse allegations.

June 6, 2024 at 4:19 p.m. PDT | Update June 6, 2024 at 5:03 p.m. PDT

BEAUMONT, Calif. — Retired Beaumont Community Services Director Robert Sherwood has been charged with serious crimes, including rape and lewd acts on a child, which allegedly occurred while he and the minor victim were all serving two in the city.

Sherwood, who retired from his municipal position in July 2018, was extradited from Clark County, Nevada, and incarcerated at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on May 26. During his May 30 arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to one count of rape. fear/force, two counts of lewd and lascivious act on a child, two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object and two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. All charges are misdemeanors.

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Now in her 30s, the victim did not come forward until July 29, 2022. She told the Beaumont Police Department that Sherwood began sexually assaulting her more than 20 years ago, so that she was a teenager and worked for the city. Sherwood was his supervisor, according to a May 9 statement in support of the arrest warrant filed in Riverside County.

It is not clear whether the victim was actually a municipal employee or a volunteer, nor what her duties were at the time of the alleged abuse. Patch has contacted the city for more information.

Sherwood also served as the head girls soccer coach at Beaumont High School during the time of the alleged crimes.

According to the statement and an April 30 felony complaint against Sherwood, these crimes occurred between approximately August 2001 and February 2002 in Beaumont, when the victim was between 14 and 15 years old.

“The victim recalls several incidents in which Sherwood digitally penetrated her vagina or forced her to have sex with him,” according to the statement signed by Beaumont Police Department Detective M. Acosta.

After reporting her allegations to police in 2022, the victim cooperated with investigators, including participating in a monitored phone call with Sherwood. During the conversation, he did not dispute allegations that he sexually assaulted her at a vulnerable time in her life.

“I don’t understand how you say you tried to help me when you were having sex with me when I was 15-16,” the victim told Sherwood over the phone.

He reportedly responded, “I’m sorry I can’t help you in a different way.” »

Investigators later interviewed Sherwood and he denied all allegations.

Riverside County Jail records show he was released May 30 after posting bail and is scheduled to appear in court for a felony settlement conference Aug. 9 during which attorneys for the two parties will attempt to negotiate a resolution in the matter. According to court documents, Sherwood lives in Las Vegas; he left California on November 14, 2019.

Patch left a message for Sherwood's lawyer.

An archived Record Gazette article reported that Sherwood, Beaumont, had retired.

“We appreciate the many years he has dedicated to the Beaumont community and wish him well in his future endeavors,” a city release said.