Ex-Kern deputy convicted of sex crimes while on duty.

Bakersfield, CA.-– Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced a significant sex crimesconviction. On June 3, 2025, a Kern County jury found former Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Clark guilty of two counts of Sexual Battery, two counts of stalking, three counts of Assault Under Color

of Authority, one count of False Imprisonment, and three associated misdemeanors.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Brad Taconi.

Clark’s conviction stems from various incidents involving multiple victims. All incidents occurred when Clark was acting in an official capacity as a Deputy. On February 14, 2019, Clark was called to a

residence in Oildale where he encountered a woman who provided a fake last name. The woman was arrested. Clark then performed a search in which he inappropriately grabbed the woman’s genital area and

her breasts.

On April 14, 2019, Clark responded to a residence in Rosamond to take an identity theft report. At the residence, Clark asked the victim sexually charged questions. He returned to the residence multiple times

and began sending the victim sexually explicit text messages. He continually propositioned the woman

despite repeated pleas for him to stop. The victim blocked Clark’s phone number and moved out of Rosamond as a result of his actions. An analysis of his patrol vehicle’s GPS data revealed that he visited

or drove by the woman’s residence over twenty times in a two-month period.

On August 14, 2019, Clark was called to the Albertson’s parking lot on Rosamond Blvd. in Rosamond after a report of a fight. After the fight, he entered the store and encountered a female employee. After her

shift, Clark observed the woman walking home, completed a u-turn, and asked her if she wanted a ride home. The woman stated that she accepted the ride “because he was a cop.” On the short ride to her

residence, Clark asked her if she wanted to exchange social media accounts to “sext.” He further asked her to “make out.” As he arrived at her residence, he leaned over to the passenger side and began kissingher. He then began grabbing her breasts and genital area. After she opened the door and attempted to leave, he grabbed the woman and kept her in the patrol vehicle. He then exposed his genitals and forced

her hand onto it. The woman was able to escape after providing Clark with her contact information.

Finally, during the course of several months, Clark frequented the Fastrip near KCSO headquarters. He would arrive in uniform and harass the employees. He would write lewd comments on receipts and ask them on dates. One woman reported that Clark reached across a gate, touched her buttocks, and walked away laughing.

A second woman at the Fastrip reported multiple contacts with Clark. She stated that on one occasion, he entered an area off limits to the public and laid down next to her while she was taking a nap. She woke up

to see him eye to eye. He stated he just wanted “to cuddle.” On a second occasion, Clark observed the same woman exiting her vehicle in the parking lot. Clark pulled in behind her in his patrol vehicle and

activated his overhead lights. He approached the woman and asked her if she “wanted to make out.” Clark then provided her his department issued Taser.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented; “A sworn Deputy who made a promise to protect the

people of Kern County instead abused that trust and used his position of power to exploit multiple victims. Clark’s behavior will not be tolerated and he must be held accountable for the harm he has inflicted.”

Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2024, before the Honorable J. Eric Bradshaw in Department 5 of the Kern County Superior Court. Clark faces a sentence of up to 8 years and 4 months in prison in addition to

sex offender registration.