Convicted Rapist Caught Working Security At Rape Counseling Center

Damon Rogers, a man who served 13 years in prison for several felony rape charges in Madera County during the 1990s, was reportedly hired by Fresno’s Rape Counseling Services to work security for the center. The fact wasn't revealed until Rogers was pulled over by police after being reported for a separate incident.

Rogers, 40, reportedly possessed a handgun and switchblade when Fresco police pulled his car over July 27. Sargent Israel Reyes of the Fresno Police Department told ABC-affiliate KFSN Tuesday that Rogers "was in possession, and to our surprise, was working at Rape Counseling Services at the time." Rogers shouldn’t have been in possession of any weapons as a result of his felony conviction.

"He had the gun in a holster," Fresno police detective Josh Alexander told PEOPLE Wednesday. "He said he had the gun for two weeks."

The serial number on Rogers’ handgun appeared to be shaved off. The gun was also loaded and unregistered, Alexander told People.

"It was surprising to me," he said. "Anytime we have a convicted sex offender who has a gun working at a rape crisis center, I would hope it would be cause for alarm for any law enforcement agency."

Rogers’ security position surprised police and workers at the counseling center. Rogers should not have been considered or hired for the security job because of his longstanding felony rape charges.

He committed two rapes in 1997 in California and had been released from jail in 2011, according to court records. Rogers' name also appeared on the Megan's Law website, where clients of the Rape Counseling Services can locate their assailants.

Rogers posted an ad inquiring about a holster for a 45-caliber handgun on Facebook, when another security guard from Tri County Security observed and informed the police July 27.

"At first, the reporting party was trying to help him out," Alexander told People Wednesday. "That’s how they originally started talking. Initially, he was trying to help Rodgers out to get holstered, and then another guy said he is a convicted sex offender."

Stone Protections Services, the company that reportedly hired Rogers, never performed a background check.

"You take for granted they have gone through a clearance check," Alexander told People.

Rogers reportedly obtained a guard card from the state of California last year, however, it bared a slightly altered name. The state filed paperwork to revoke the card last January after they discovered his real identity.

"They weren't aware of it obviously, and they were very shocked and I believe they immediately took action with the security company that they hired," Reyes told KSFN.

The rape counseling center had no idea a convicted rapist had been working there, Alexander told People.

"They just went along with the security company they hired to work there," he said. "If they had known who he was, they would have put a stop to it."

Alexander said it’s unclear how long Rogers worked for the counseling center, according to People.

Rogers is being detained on $386,000 bail at the Fresno County Jail, where he currently faces felony charges. Rogers pleaded not guilty regarding his charge of felony possession of a firearm.

Officials scheduled Rogers for an August 30 hearing.