A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested over allegations forcing himself on two women detained in a Lynnwood jail facility.

In a press conference, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said 31-year-old deputy Giancarlo Scotti, a ten-year veteran of the department, was facing two criminal counts of rape and two counts of oral copulation under color of authority, calling the alleged crimes “egregious” and a “violation of public trust”.

“Crime of this nature is horrific”, Mr McDonnell said. “We have a moral duty to assure the public and the inmates in our care that we take these allegations very seriously.”

Mr Scotti was arrested after a female inmate came forward with the allegations and a second alleged victim discovered, Mr McDonnell said, adding that “the evidence was compelling enough for us to make the arrest”. At this time there is no suggestion that other personnel were involved, Mr McDonnell said, noting that the women were alone in apparent violation of a department policy stipulating that male deputies entering cells holding female inmates be accompanied by a female deputy.

Mr Scotti faces an October court date and can be stripped of pay once criminal charges are filed, Mr McDonnell said. Mr Scotti has been placed on administrative leave and it was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney.

The detention center reopened in 2006 as an all-female jail It has a 2,100-inmate capacity,

The Los Angeles County sheriff’s department has faced previous allegations over misconduct.