Robert "Brian" Bassett is pictured during his time as a member of the Biggs City Council. Bassett, a former mayor of Biggs, was arrested July 9 following a Gridley Police Department investigation into allegations involving a juvenile foreign exchange student. File photo.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A former mayor of Biggs was arrested July 9 on multiple felony charges after investigators accused him of repeatedly sexually abusing a juvenile foreign exchange student who had been assigned to live in his home.

The investigation began after police received allegations that a juvenile foreign exchange student had been repeatedly sexually abused while living in Robert "Brian" Bassett's home. Investigators said evidence gathered during the investigation established probable cause for the arrest.

Bassett, 58, was booked into the Butte County Jail following a Gridley Police Department investigation conducted in partnership with the Butte County District Attorney's Office. He was booked on suspicion of sexual penetration of a minor PC 289(h), oral copulation with a minor PC 287(b)(1), and statutory rape PC 261.5(c).

Because the case involves allegations of sexual offenses against a minor, the department said it will not release identifying information about the victim. Additional details are also being withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing criminal proceedings.

"The allegations in this case involve a profound betrayal by an individual who was entrusted with the care and well-being of a young individual living thousands of miles away from home and their family," Gridley Police Chief Todd W. Farr said in a news release. "We remain committed to seeking justice for victims of sexual assault regardless of the status or position of a perpetrator."

The investigation remains ongoing. Police ask anyone with information related to the case, or anyone who believes they may have been the victim of similar conduct involving Bassett, to contact Lt. Jason Garringer at 530-846-5670 or [email protected], or Officer Emma Warren at 530-846-5670 or [email protected].