Rehab Staffer Charged With Sexual Assault

A former staff person at Solutions residential rehabilitation has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a former patient at the center on several different occasions between April and June 2007. Bruce Duane Nelson, 55, was arrested after a months-long investigation into allegations from a female victim in her mid-20s who had been treated at the facility.

Nelson was a night-shift staff member at Solutions from June 2002 to July 2007. He was arrested by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department at his home July 30 on two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, one count of assault with intent to commit rape and one count of sexual battery on an institutionalized victim.

The department’s investigation into Nelson is ongoing, and detectives are urging anyone with information to call (805) 681-4150.