South Lake Tahoe private security guard used position to sexually assault women, police say
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A private security guard in South Lake Tahoe is accused of using his position to sexually assault multiple women over a span of eight years, authorities said Wednesday.
South Lake Tahoe police said Gilbert Avila, 79, was arrested in the state of Nevada this week and is awaiting transfer back to California.
Avila is suspected of multiple sexual assault and false imprisonment acts from 2016 to 2023. Police said Avila, while on duty, is accused of approaching women and taking advantage of them in a vulnerable state — including women who were possibly drunk or seeking help.
Avila allegedly would then perform unwanted sexual contact after gaining the victims' trust.
South Lake Tahoe police said it is working to identify possible additional victims of Avila and encourage any to come forward. Police noted that Avila's time working in private security in the area predates the current charges.