A former hospice chaplain who sexually assaulted a 76-year-old woman in his care has been sentenced to five years in state prison, marking the latest development in a case that first began unfolding more than a year ago and has since drawn widespread concern across the region’s elder-care community.
Arthur Apgar, entered a no-contest plea last week to felony charges of sexual battery of a medically incapacitated person. The plea brought closure to the criminal case, which stemmed from an investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Sexual and Elder Abuse Bureau (SEAB).
Detectives determined that Apgar assaulted an elderly patient at a care facility where he had been assigned to provide hospice chaplain services, a role that afforded him repeated access to vulnerable individuals nearing the end of life.
The sheriff’s office first announced Apgar’s arrest in August 2024, when he was taken into custody following an intensive review of evidence collected during the early stages of the investigation. According to officials, the victim in that initial case was an elderly woman who was medically incapacitated and unable to advocate for herself.
Apgar was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on four felony counts of sexual battery against a seriously disabled or medically incapacitated person. He posted bail shortly after his arrest and was released from custody pending court proceedings, with an initial appearance scheduled for August 12.
His arrest sparked immediate concern within law enforcement, as hospice chaplains typically work closely with patients who may be isolated, cognitively impaired, or physically unable to report mistreatment. Sheriff’s officials said early in the investigation that Apgar had access to numerous other potential victims through his work in hospice environments, prompting detectives to broaden their review and encourage families to come forward with any information related to his conduct.
As the court case moved forward over the past year, investigators continued examining whether additional incidents may have occurred at other care settings where Apgar provided services. Prosecutors said that because many families now use in-room cameras, digital monitoring logs, and electronic visitor records, even small details could help determine whether other patients were harmed during chaplain visits.
With Apgar now sentenced to five years in state prison, detectives are renewing their request for public assistance. Anyone who believes they or a loved one may have been affected, or who has information about Apgar’s interactions with hospice patients, is urged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Sexual and Elder Abuse Bureau at 916-874-5070. Additional anonymous tips can be submitted to Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP (4357), 1-800-AA-CRIME, or online atwww.sacvalleycrimestoppers.com. Tipsters may be eligible for rewards of up to $1,000.
Investigators emphasize that the case remains open, and the priority now is ensuring the safety of elderly and medically fragile residents who may have encountered Apgar during his time working in hospice care.
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