A prominent Clovis attorney has been in jail since July 25, booked on accusations of molesting four young female relatives.

Personal injury lawyer Robert Quinlan Bergstrom has practiced in the Central Valley since 1970. Fresno police arrested him the same day he was booked.

Court records show Bergstrom, 82 of Fresno, allegedly victimized the girls between 2009 and May of this year.

He faces eight felony counts: three counts of lewd acts upon a child; three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 years or younger; one count of a forcible lewd act upon a child; and one count of continuous sexual abuse.

The counts also include special enhancements. The DA’s office said if convicted and receiving the maximum sentence, Bergstrom could face 32 years in prison, plus 45-to-life.

Bergstrom pleaded not guilty. He returns to court for a pre-preliminary hearing on Jan. 9, 2025.

Bergstrom’s attorney Eric Schweitzer said his client has an excellent standing in the legal community and is “presumed innocent.”

“There is great deal of reaction and prejudice whenever these kinds of charges are filed against anyone. Doesn’t make them true,” Schweitzer said.

Victims’ Father Calls Police

According to court documents, in May 2024, the father of one of the victims called Fresno police, after his daughter accused Bergstrom of touching her inappropriately. The girl was eight at the time.

“His daughter disclosed that she did not like how (Bergstrom) put his hands down her pants and underwear,” a court document said.

An older daughter said it happened to her as well when she was between four and 10.

When confronted with the accusations, Bergstrom allegedly threatened to kill himself, and said “I always knew when this would come out, this would bring ruin to our family, and today’s the day.”

Bergstrom also allegedly said, “If I had, uh, thought different about it, I wouldn’t have done it.”

The investigation revealed three other victims — two other minor family members; and another now-adult family member who said the incidents happened decades ago when she was a girl. The statute of limitations expired on the latter victim.

Bergstrom warned the victims not to tell, threatening them with consequences, charging documents state.

One of the victims told police “she did not know that the touching was inappropriate until she was older.” Another said she was “confused and in denial.”

Court records show that Bergstrom was twice investigated in the 2000s for “inappropriate interactions with other adults,” but no charges were filed.

Bail Denied

Judge William Terrence initially set bail at $965,000 at Bergstrom’s July 30 arraignment.

Schweitzer requested a bail reduction to $100,000.

“He couldn’t afford bail at $1 million. Not everyone can,” Schweitzer said.

The attorney also questioned the veracity of the accusers.

“The alleged victims, whose motives are questionable, may just as well have spun their reports to the police from whole cloth,” Schweitzer wrote.

In another document, Schweitzer wrote “no one stands to financial gain as much from Mr. Bergstrom’s incarceration than the family.”

In response, the District Attorney’s office requested no bail.

“The Defendant’s repeated sexual abuse of four children in his family indicate he poses a significant danger to the community,” prosecutor Amber Collins wrote.

Terrence sided with the DA’s Office on the bail question on Oct. 18.

Schweitzer told GV Wire he plans to file a writ of habeas corpus — a motion that the government does not have the right to detain the defendant.

License Still Active

A banner hangs from Bergstrom’s law office, indicating the space is up for lease.

The State Bar of California lists Bergstrom actively practicing law, but does display a disclaimer on its website that he currently faces felonies.

Court records also show that Bergstrom’s wife, Luz Bergstrom, filed for divorce on Sept. 19.