East Palo Alto City Employee Charged with Child Sex Abuse, Gets Character Reference from Council Member

Rafael Prado accused of molesting and supplying drugs to 13-year-old he met through city job

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A former East Palo Alto city employee, Rafael Prado, has been charged with five felony counts of lewd acts with a child and felony possession of child sex-abuse material. Prosecutors allege Prado repeatedly molested and supplied drugs to a 13-year-old boy he met while working for the city. Despite the charges, East Palo Alto Council Member Carlos Romero provided a character reference for Prado in an unsuccessful motion to have him released from jail without bail.

Why it matters

The case raises concerns about the vetting process for city employees who may have contact with minors, as well as the appropriateness of a city council member providing a character reference for an employee accused of such serious crimes. It also highlights the challenges of prosecuting cases involving victims with histories of drug use and prostitution.

The details

According to court records, the victim told authorities he first met Prado at the library in late 2022 or 2023 when he was 13 years old, and they later connected on Instagram. Prosecutors allege Prado supplied the teenager with marijuana, crystal meth, and an unknown liquid before having intercourse with him at Prado's home in Redwood City. The victim, who was in 8th grade at the time, said he went in and out of consciousness during the encounter. Police did not become aware of Prado's involvement until 2025, when the then-15-year-old victim reported the abuse after being kicked out of his home. Prado's defense attorney has denied the allegations and suggested the victim may be misremembering or accusing Prado falsely.

  • The victim first met Prado at the library sometime between late 2022 and 2023, when the victim was 13 years old.
  • The first alleged sexual encounter between Prado and the victim occurred at Prado's home in Redwood City.
  • The victim, now 15 years old, first contacted police about the abuse in April 2025 after being kicked out of his home.
  • On June 18, Prado was charged with five felony counts of lewd acts with a child and felony possession of child sex-abuse material.
  • On July 3, 2025, a judge denied Prado's motion to be released from jail without bail while awaiting trial.

The players

Rafael Prado

A 28-year-old former East Palo Alto city employee who has been charged with five felony counts of lewd acts with a child and felony possession of child sex-abuse material.

Carlos Romero

A long-time member of the East Palo Alto City Council who provided a character reference for Prado in an unsuccessful motion to have him released from jail without bail.

Neil Hallinan

Prado's defense attorney, who submitted the motion for his client's release and argued that the victim may be misremembering or accusing Prado falsely.

Sharron Lee

The deputy district attorney who opposed Prado's release motion, accusing the defense of "victim-shaming" for detailing the victim's drug use and sexual history.

Jeff Jackson

The judge who denied Prado's motion to be released from jail without bail while awaiting trial.

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What they’re saying

“In our judicial system the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. My character reference for Mr. Prado was based on observed behavior during my interactions with him at numerous COVID vaccination outreach efforts in East Palo Alto from 2021 to 2022.”

— Carlos Romero, East Palo Alto Council Member (Almanac News)

“The facts are that the defendant was quite aware of (the victim's) age, and it did not stop him.”

— Sharron Lee, Deputy District Attorney (Almanac News)

“Counsel spent approximately five pages of 20 substantive pages describing (the victim's) drug use and sexual history but failed to acknowledge that the defendant's actions were what initiated (the victim) into using sex to get drugs.”

— Sharron Lee, Deputy District Attorney (Almanac News)

“I was very surprised that the DA wrote that those facts only serve to shame the victim when in fact they are totally relevant to the issue that was before the court. I don't know if the DA really believes that or was making a statement to cut against my argument.”

— Neil Hallinan, Prado's Defense Attorney (Almanac News)

“To that point, the minor's appearance and history of drug use and prostitution are totally relevant, as it is the appearance and conduct of someone who is NOT a minor. If someone appeared like this specific minor and conducted themselves the same way — including being out at all hours of the night on weeknights — generally speaking we all would be safe to assume that person is AT LEAST 18 years old.”

— Neil Hallinan, Prado's Defense Attorney (Almanac News)

What’s next

A trial date has not yet been set for Prado, who remains in custody at the Maguire Correctional Facility. His next hearing is scheduled for March 4.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding the prosecution of sex crimes involving minors with histories of drug use and prostitution, as well as the appropriateness of character references from public officials for employees accused of such serious offenses. It raises questions about the vetting process for city employees who may interact with vulnerable youth, and the need for greater oversight and accountability in such situations.