Orange County Sheriff's Department Special Victims arrest a 43-year-old man suspected of rape, elder sexual abuse, oral copulation, and sexual battery.
Russell Bernardino, of Mission Viejo was captured at 8 am Wednesday and is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail. His bail is set at $100,000.
Bernardino has been working as a licensed massage therapist for the last three years. In April, a 36-year-old woman reported that she'd been sexually assaulted by Bernardino while she was receiving a massage in Mission Viejo at a Massage Envy. In June, another woman also reported she'd be sexually assaulted at the same location -- that woman is 71-years-old.
Bernardino has also worked as a home health care provider. In March, a client of his reported she'd been raped by Bernardino at her home in Laguna Woods. That woman was 77-years-old at the time. Bernardino was employed by West Coast Care in Orange from 2017 to 2018. Investigators believe there may be other victims, as Bernardino may have worked for several other home health care companies in Orange County.
Anyone with information regarding additional victims or information that may help the investigation are encouraged to contact the OC Sheriff's department at 714-647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).
