Maricopa County court security guard accused of sexually abusing woman while working

PHOENIX – A Maricopa County Superior Court security officer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly kissing and groping a woman while he was on the job in downtown Phoenix, according to authorities.

Fernando Ceniceros, 35, was booked into jail on one count of sexual abuse, a class 5 felony, in connection with a March 29 incident inside the county building at 175 W. Madison St.

The 29-year-old victim told investigators she went in for a court hearing and met Ceniceros while he was screening visitors, according to court documents.

They crossed paths later on another floor while Ceniceros was doing a security walk, and he invited her to join him. She said she felt pressured to agree because she thought he was a police officer, according to the probable cause statement.

When they were in an area without security camera coverage, Ceniceros allegedly kissed the woman and fondled her breasts. She said she didn’t consent and pushed his hands away.

The victim then went to her court hearing and afterward told her public defender what happened with the security guard. On the advice of her attorney, she reported the incident to Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies at the court building.

Investigators later interviewed Ceniceros at his home in Phoenix before taking him into custody.

Ceniceros has been employed by the county as a security guard for about 1½ years, according to court documents.

The sheriff’s office is asking anybody with information about the case to call 602-876-TIPS (8477) and reference report No. IR22008032.

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