San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Rod Hoops

April 15, 2012 3:02 PM
KATIE LUCIA, Staff Writer

BARSTOW • As local governments explore ways to cut costs, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is offering a solution Barstow leaders say they won’t buy: contract police work to the sheriff.

At a county-city conference last month, San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops gave a presentation on the department’s goals, one of which was to replace city police departments with sheriff contracts, according to Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez, who attended the conference. There, Hoops discussed the cost savings of contracting with the county.

Barstow is among 12 cities in the county currently maintaining a city police force. It is the only city in the High Desert not contracting with the sheriff’s department.

“In these tough budget times, the combined resources of a sheriff’s department are the best economic decision for a city,” Cindy Bachman, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department, said via e-mail. “For instance, the sheriff has a Homicide, Narcotics, SWAT, Crimes Against Children Divisions, et cetera — these specialized divisions handle cases countywide and each station does not need to have staff to handle these typically lengthy and usually high profile cases.”

Currently, the city spends nearly $9 million annually on the Barstow Police Department, accounting for more than half the city’s operating expenditures.

Despite the argued cost savings of a sheriff’s contract, many city leaders were strongly opposed to the concept.

To read entire story, click here.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 01:00 p.m.

It’s said that money makes a difference in how you are treated in our criminal justice system.

A saying that’s absolutely true. Especially if your a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

The Tribe’s current chairman, James Ramos, says he’s cleaned up the reservation and its ties to the infamous Mexican Mafia.

Ramos was even recently quoted in a local newspapers as saying his brethren are held to answer in “Tribal Court”.

A statement clearly coming from a man living in fantasy land.

Not so fast

In just a couple of years after two of the Tribe’s members were given probation after pleading guilty in a murder-for-hire scheme, involving the Mexican Mafia, another egregious incident has come to light.

Information is steadily flowing from the reservation regarding shenanigans occurring on the reservation that have been quietly disposed of.

Here is the first story to come forward.

This time the subject of a ‘free pass’ is San Manuel Tribal member Raymond Green.

On October 29, 2009, Green was charged with trying to harm his girlfriend with a caustic chemical.

Like allegedly trying to set her on fire.

Here is an excerpt from the court docket:

.

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Status

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Charges

.

Two serious cases consolidated

On August 13, 2009, Green had been charged by the San Bernardino County District Attorney with the following crimes:

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Status

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Charges

.

The October 2009 case was subsequently consolidated into the later.

At one point Green’s ordered bail was $2,000,000.

Here’s the docket ordering the consolidation of the two felony cases:

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Actions/Minutes

.

Consolidated case dismissed

On July 15, 2011, something very irregular happens.

An evidence suppression motion brought per Penal Code 1538.5 was on calendar to be argued.

Instead something else happens.

The case is dismissed on a motion by the District Attorney.

Green stipulates that probable cause existed to arrest him and the case falls quietly away.

Here is an excerpt from the court docket where the dismissal occurs.

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Actions/Minutes

All occurring under the watch of San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos and San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos.

Two politically-connected friends and benefactors.

.

To place the situation into better context. Here is a court record of all of Green’s past traffic and criminal cases:

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – All Defendant’s Cases

.

Campaign Contributions

Here’s a partial listing of recent financial support the San Manuel’s have given District Attorney Michael Ramos:

.

DATE     CONTRIBUTOR                           AMOUNT

02/22/11 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $ 10,000.00
04/01/10 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $  7,500.00
08/01/09 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $ 10,000.00

.

District Attorney and Sheriff Budgets

The San Manuel Tribal Government has provided millions of dollars in funding to operations of Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops.

The funding given to Ramos pays for hand-picked prosecutors, who review all criminal matters brought before them by Hoop’s deputies, who are responsible for patrolling the reservation.

Not the first time

This isn’t the first time preferential treatment has been given to a San Manuel.

Back in 2006, Tribal members Stacey Barajas-Nunez and Erik Barajas were convicted in a murder-for-hire scheme involving the Mexican Mafia criminal organization.

The criminal element had clearly penetrated the Tribal structure in order to access the vast wealth of its members.

What is striking about the situation is that on November 6, 2008, the Barajas brother and sister duo received probation with the blessing of the District Attorney.

However, Nunez-Barajas ultimately violated her probation and now sits in State Prison serving an 18 year sentence.

Meaning she will actually serve 9 years in custody.

District Attorney Endorsement

As expected District Attorney Michael Ramos, a public official who knows no bounds in the use of his authority, has endorsed the San Manuel Chairman against incumbent Supervisor Neil Derry.

Derry has been critical of DA Ramos’ various professional escapades.

And now the DA is looking for some payback.

Administrator’s note: This article will be updated with a more detailed version on Sunday morning.

Thursday, February 9, 2012 – 10:45 a.m.

It’s said that money makes a difference in how you are treated in our criminal justice system.

A saying that’s absolutely true. Especially if your a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

The Tribe’s current chairman, James Ramos, says he’s cleaned up the reservation and its ties to the infamous Mexican Mafia.

Ramos was even recently quoted in a local newspapers as saying his brethren are held to answer in “Tribal Court”.

A statement clearly coming from a man living in fantasy land.

Not so fast

In just a couple of years after two of the Tribe’s members were given probation after pleading guilty in a murder-for-hire scheme, involving the Mexican Mafia, another egregious incident has come to light.

Information is steadily flowing from the reservation regarding shenanigans occurring on the reservation that have been quietly disposed of.

Here is the first story to come forward.

This time the subject of a ‘free pass’ is San Manuel Tribal member Raymond Green.

On October 29, 2009, Green was charged with trying to harm his girlfriend with a caustic chemical.

Like allegedly trying to set her on fire.

Here is an excerpt from the court docket:

.

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Status

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Charges

.

Two serious cases consolidated

On August 13, 2009, Green had been charged by the San Bernardino County District Attorney with the following crimes:

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Status

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Charges

.

The October 2009 case was subsequently consolidated into the later.

At one point Green’s ordered bail was $2,000,000.

Here’s the docket ordering the consolidation of the two felony cases:

Case FSB904686 Defendant 5894 GREEN , RAY CARR – Actions/Minutes

.

Consolidated case dismissed

On July 15, 2011, something very irregular happens.

An evidence suppression motion brought per Penal Code 1538.5 was on calendar to be argued.

Instead something else happens.

The case is dismissed on a motion by the District Attorney.

Green stipulates that probable cause existed to arrest him and the case falls quietly away.

Here is an excerpt from the court docket where the dismissal occurs.

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – Actions/Minutes

All occurring under the watch of San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos and San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos.

Two politically-connected friends and benefactors.

.

To place the situation into better context. Here is a court record of all of Green’s past traffic and criminal cases:

.

Case FSB903342 Defendant 5894 GREEN, RAY – All Defendant’s Cases

.

Campaign Contributions

Here’s a partial listing of recent financial support the San Manuel’s have given District Attorney Michael Ramos:

.

DATE     CONTRIBUTOR                           AMOUNT

02/22/11 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $ 10,000.00
04/01/10 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $  7,500.00
08/01/09 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians    $ 10,000.00

.

District Attorney Budget

The San Manuel Tribal Government has provided millions of dollars in funding to operations of Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops.

The funding given to Ramos pays for hand-picked prosecutors, who review all criminal matters brought before them by Hoop’s deputies, who are responsible for patrolling the reservation.

Developing…..

Supervisor Josie Gonzales

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 24 January 2012 07:08 PM

San Bernardino County supervisors moved forward Tuesday with a proposal to require voter approval of future pension increases but face opposition from employee unions who quickly announced plans for a competing measure aimed at supervisors.

The board agreed to have county staff draft a ballot measure requiring voter approval before retirement benefits for county employees, legislative officers and elected officials could be increased. But final approval is not assured with supervisors split 3-2 on whether to consider the proposal.

Board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales, who cast the tie-breaking vote, expressed serious misgivings but said she would wait until seeing the ballot measure language before making a final decision.

Supervisor Janice Rutherford said the measure allows voters a say in long-term costly financial decisions. For every dollar the county spends on salaries, 27 cents is paid for pension costs for general employees and 47 cents for public safety employees, she said.

“This is simply insurance for the taxpayers who will be footing the bill long after politicians and union leaders are out of the picture,” Rutherford said.

She said she hoped to have the ballot measure ready for the June election. She noted that other counties, including Riverside and Orange, have enacted similar measures.

But leaders for the two largest unions representing county employees said it could hurt the county’s ability to work with the groups in the future.

“Do you not trust your own ability to make decisions you were elected to make?” Bob Blough, general manager of the San Bernardino Public Employees Association, representing about 11,000 county employees, asked them.

Laren Leichliter, president of the Safety Employees Benefit Association, representing about 3,100 public safety employees, echoed those sentiments. He said unions would not be able to trust negotiations with the county, knowing that it could ultimately hinge on an election campaign.

Rutherford said the proposal does not take away employees’ benefits but merely requires them to make the case for any increases to voters. However, only Supervisor Gary Ovitt, who co-sponsored the measure, expressed support.

To read entire story, click here.

Two San Bernardino County supervisors are requesting that benefits for all county elected officials, not just the Board of Supervisors, be reduced to be in line with elected officials in other counties.

Supervisors Neil Derry and Janice Rutherford are pushing for the ordinance, which comes less than two weeks after the board approved a similar ordinance that reduced total compensation for future supervisors by roughly $48,000 annually.

Derry argued that ordinance didn’t go far enough and that benefits for elected San Bernardino County officials far exceed those of officials in comparable Southern California counties.

Rutherford wants county administrators to review compensation for elected officials in Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura and San Diego counties and report back to the board with a draft ordinance.

The county’s other elected officials are: Auditor-Controller/ Treasurer/Tax Collector Larry Walker, Sheriff Rod Hoops, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos and Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Dennis Draeger.

If such an ordinance is adopted, benefits would remain at a level necessary to attract candidates to run for office, according to a report prepared for the board.

Derry voted for the benefits cuts to supervisors at the Jan. 10 board meeting but argued the cuts should apply to all elected officials in the county, whose benefits far exceed those of their counterparts in Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura counties.

For example, Walker has a benefits package totaling $178,364, while his counterparts in Riverside County bring home less than half that amount in benefits: $73,105.

Draeger collects $151,694 in benefits annually, while his counterpart in Riverside County collects $73,105.

To read entire story, click here.

Monday, January 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

An anti-recall effort meant to protect certain members of the Fullerton city council flopped last week when recall backers turned in an overwhelming number of signatures to qualify a recall ballot.

The city council targets?

• Don Bankhead: 17,064 signatures
• F. Richard “Dick” Jones: 17,587 signatures
• Patrick McKinley: 17,603 signatures

Of interest is news that the anti-recall effort was mounted by a figure familiar to San Bernardino County political circles.

That figure, David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners LLC, is political consultant to San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops.

Ellis was probably paid a pretty penny for his failed effort.

Ellis can also be credited for Ramos and Hoops opposition to cuts to there own benefits under the disingenuous guise of “It affects are independence as county-wide elected officials”.

Anyways, here is the link to a post at FullertonsFuture.org

San Bernardino County Auditor/Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 21 January 2012 05:49 PM

After slashing their own benefits earlier this month, San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday will start taking aim at extra compensation for other county-wide elected officials.

The board will vote on a proposal by Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Neil Derry to direct the county administrative and counsel offices to prepare an ordinance that would cut benefit packages for the assessor-recorder, auditor/controller/treasurer-tax collector, district attorney and sheriff. If a majority of supervisors agree, the ordinance will return to the board at a future meeting for a vote.

The agenda item does not provide a specific amount to cut but seeks to bring benefits, which include supplemental retirement and medical payments and car and cellphone allowances, in line with comparable Southern California counties.

“It’s very clear from the information we have already, our benefits are out of line for all elected officials,” Derry said.

Supervisors’ benefits were cut by about $48,000 — a 39 percent reduction — in the ordinance, which will return for a second reading Tuesday. A survey of supervisors’ compensation in surrounding counties found that San Bernardino officials received the second highest salary and benefits among seven Southern California counties.

A similar draft study comparing the other four elected officers with their counterparts found that for all but one of those positions, San Bernardino County paid the highest amount of benefits in the region and twice as much as Riverside County in some instances.

In San Bernardino County, the assessor-recorder receives an annual salary of $204,352 plus $151,694 in benefits. By comparison, Riverside provides $73,105 in benefits and Los Angeles, the second highest, offers $132,386. The average benefits paid in Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, Kern and San Diego counties is $97,440.

For the auditor/controller/treasurer-tax collector, San Bernardino pays an annual salary of $252,288 plus $178,363 in benefits. Riverside pays $73,105 in benefits while Los Angeles provides $141,769 in benefits. The five-county average is $96,536.

San Bernardino County pays the district attorney $208,458 in annual salary and $152,821 in benefits. Riverside provides $86,869 in benefits while Los Angeles offers the highest in the region, $181,762. The five-county average is $117,826.

To read entire story, click here.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 11:25 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, while adopting cuts to their own benefits package, wouldn’t go near a proposal by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to have the cuts apply to all of the county’s elected officials on Tuesday morning.

Derry was unable to obtain even a second to his substitute motion to include Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Rod Hoops, District Attorney Michael Ramos, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector and Assessor-Recorder Dennis Draeger in the reductions.

Supervisors Josie Gonzales and Gary Ovitt spoke in favor of delaying any action and to have the matter studied further.

Gonzales also spoke in favor of not cutting benefits of the other officials.

Even though the county human resources staff had already completed a survey of surrounding counties.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the reason the supes are afraid.

But, Ovitt did state for the record to the county-wide officials that no one is elected to public office for the money, but to serve the taxpayers.

Supervisor Janice Rutherford commented that the benefits of the others also appeared out of line.

The approved cuts are indeed a long time in coming and will save county taxpayers about a quarter-million dollars per year.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider slashing their own lavish benefits package Tuesday morning.

A benefits package unmatched anywhere in the state and possibly country.

The key being their “own” benefits.

Supervisors have been reluctant to apply the same cut to the offices of Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator, District Attorney, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Assessor-Recorder.

All high-paying positions.

Supervisors appear fearful of backlash from certain members of the group.

The county has examined the compensation of the four countywide elected officials and the results show the need for the same reduction.

Will it happen?

Probably not.

By Richard Winton and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times
December 10, 2011

The early release of inmates in some parts of California is accelerating as officials at county jails struggle to accommodate state prisoners flowing into their facilities.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department planned to begin releasing about 150 inmates Friday because of overcrowding in county jails.

Sheriff Rod Hoops has decided to release the inmates, mostly parole violators or those convicted of nonviolent crimes, over the next five days. The inmates must have served at least half of their sentence, and have less than 30 days remaining on their sentence.

The move is a result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the state to lower its prison population by 30,000. To meet the mandate, those convicted of certain crimes who until now served their sentences in state prison now must serve their time in a county jail. No inmates are being moved from state prisons to county jails. But as these people are sentenced, they will be sent to a county jail rather than state prison.

San Bernardino is believed to be the largest county to start early releases since the so-called prisoner realignment began. Kern County made a similar move last month.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is hoping to deal with the influx of state prisoners by developing alternatives to custody — such as electronic monitoring — for low-risk offenders awaiting trial.

L.A. County’s jails are expected to house as many as 8,000 state prisoners by mid-2012. Los Angeles County prosecutors said in a report that the numbers could fill up the jails as early as this month.

But sheriff’s officials said they don’t expect capacity to be reached until summer at the earliest.

“I don’t know what the turning point is going to be, but I don’t think the sky is going to fall,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Chief Alex Yim. “We are looking for a measured amount of growth in the jail population. So we are ramping up programs like electronic monitoring and work release now.”

Up until now, San Bernardino County managed to keep its jails from overcrowding through work release and other programs. But with the system rapidly approaching capacity, the sheriff opted to make more room for new arrestees and higher-priority inmates.

To read entire story, click here.

Sunday, December 4, 2011 – 12:30 p.m.

Now San Bernardino County supervisors want to cut their benefits package again.

They shouldn’t think twice about.

The benefits package afforded the county’s elected officials is the richest in the state, and can be adjusted by a mere majority vote of the supervisors.

Interestingly, the last time the Board of Supervisors voted to cut the benefits of all elected’s, they had to be shamed into it.

It’s still uncertain as to whether or not county supervisors will actually go through with it. Since the proposed ordinance will not come back to the body until sometime next year.

It should be noted that it doesn’t really take any time or effort to make changes to the county’s exempt compensation plan and related ordinance.

How about as little as two weeks?

This new proposal was brought forward by Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford. So far Rutherford has made several grandiose proposals attracting her positive press coverage. But, so far, those proposals have failed to materialize into official actions.

The newly-proposed cuts won’t affect anyone currently seated, unless the individual official accepts the cuts voluntarily.

Any new changes would only take effect on the official assuming a new term of office.

Another interesting twist is the fact the supe’s appear resistant to cutting the benefits packages of Assessor-Recorder Dennis Draeger, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Rod Hoops and District Attorney Michael Ramos.

The four represent the highest-paid elected officials in the county, and any cuts to countywide elected officials is either all-or-none..

Earlier this year, Ramos and Hoops declined to accept voluntary pay cuts that all other officials agreed to.

It’s uncertain as to whether Draeger will seek a second term. Walker, who is on pace to be the county’s highest paid retiree, is likely to seek reelection. And all in-the-know say Hoops will not seek a second-term, and may actually want to get out of town early. Ramos currently intends on running again, unless another opportunity comes up. It’s no secret Ramos has aspirations for higher office.

The resistance to cutting the compensation of the countywide’s is no secret. Sources, both inside and outside the county government center, say some supervisors want nothing to do with cutting the compensation of Hoops or Ramos out of fear of retaliation.

Ramos, who never seems to be able to make enough cash, reportedly pretty much blew a gasket when Third District Supervisor Neil Derry was able to push through limited cuts prior to his (Ramos) assuming a new term of office.

Derry, for his efforts, ended up being on the receiving end of a criminal complaint and booking number, via former Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons, and courtesy of an investigation conducted by Ramos’ Public Integrity Unit.

Schons, who had developed a close relationship with Ramos, now works as a Deputy District Attorney in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/19/2011 06:06:55 AM PST

San Bernardino County jailers are putting more inmates in work release programs and using electronic monitoring to make way for state prisoners.

With limited bed space, the county is taking on an challenging influx of inmates after the state handed responsibility for low-level prisoners to local jail officials last month in an unprecedented realignment of the California penal system.

Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chief Lance Clark, who oversees county corrections, has significantly expanded his electronic monitoring and work release programs in order to make room for the incoming inmates – non-sexual, non-violent, non-serious offenders.

The county has used increased funds from the state – about $25 million this fiscal year – for more staffing and resources at the jails and in its Probation Department.

Clark said he’s keeping the county’s 6,100 available beds at 90 percent capacity in order to maintain normal operations, so existing inmates are shifted to outside work release or electronic monitoring. The outside jail programs now see about 3,700 inmates, up from the 3,000 inmates prior to the start of realignment.

Clark said the county is expected to take on about 350 additional “triple-non” offenders on a monthly basis, or an additional 4,000 to 5,000 offenders in the next 12 to 14 months.

“We can’t fill up every bed because it prevents us from managing the inmate population,” Clark said. “We did a lot of pre-planning before realignment started. We greatly enhanced our work release and electronic monitoring programs and we’ve been able to maintain 90 percent over the last six months by expanding electronic monitoring and work release.”

Of concern to Clark is the fact that triple-non inmates are incarcerated for a longer period of time than typical jail inmates. The average length of stay for inmates prior to realignment was about six months. Now the average length is about 11 months, Clark said, with a projection that the average stay could last around 18 months in the future.

“Under the old system, we could have cycled four inmates for a bed during a six-month period, while now there is one inmate per bed during that time,” Clark said.

To read entire story, click here.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 – 04:30 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 – 07:15 p.m.

The attorney representing Rickie Lee Fowler is bringing forward strong accusations these days.

Fowler faces capital charges from allegations that he is the perpetrator who set the 2003 Old Fire. The case against him was brought by the District Attorney through a grand jury indictment obtained at the end of the criminal statute of limitations period.

Now Don Jordan, an attorney on Fowler’s defense team, is turning up the heat on San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos, San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops, and former Deputy District Attorney now Superior Court Judge Victor Stull.

In an e-mail sent to InlandPolitics.com Jordan asserts Fowler is an innocent political pawn of the three men, who were all seeking election or reelection to their current offices.

The accusations really come as no surprise, especially when Ramos is involved.

Here’s what Jordan had to say in his October 17th e-mail that I followed-up by telephone.

I am one of the attorneys representing Rickie Lee Fowler (my name happened to come up on the capital case when the county needed an attorney on this capital case). Fowler is accused of starting the Old Fire in 2003. Now that I have finished going through the massive file, I have, to my great surprise, concluded that he actually had nothing to do with it. The difficult thing is that this very troubled individual asked for it at the time by making a series of absurd false confessions. He was already serving a lengthy prison sentence and, at the time, was unaware that being convicted of setting the fire could result in a death or life without possibility of parole sentence. He mistakenly thought that it would do no more than add a few years to his existing prison sentence.

I allege in the attached motion to dismiss that he was prosecuted even though the DA’s Office and the Sheriff’s Dept., and specifically Deputy DA Vic Stull (now a judge), knew or should have known that Fowler didn’t set the fire because the Sheriff and Mike Ramos needed a scapegoat for setting the fire. Ramos appointed Vic Stull, 27 years with the DA’s Office, about Dec. 2008 to “bring the case home.” Stull rammed it through the grand jury in Oct. 2009 to use in support of his then-pending campaign for judge. Stull presented none of the evidence showing that Fowler didn’t know anything about the fire (Fowler claimed it was started a mile from where it actually started and that it started four hours earlier). Stull also did not present any of the alibi evidence which would have shown that the three people Fowler falsely claimed he was with when one of them set the fire were in fact not there, and many other things (including talking the grand jury out of even hearing from one of those Fowler said was present).

I also attach a motion to recuse the entire DA’s Office because of my allegations that Ramos, the Sheriff, and Stull were willing to send an innocent man to death in order to further their political aims of garnering support for elective office.

The motions are set for hearing before Judge Rouse on Oct. 31, 2011 in dept. S12 (Judge Smith, who has been the judge assigned to the case, recused himself from these motions because he was on Vic Stull’s campaign committee when he was elected judge in June 2010). Jury trial is currently set for Jan. 9, 2012.

Click here to read the Fowler – Motion to Dismiss

Click here to read the Fowler – Motion to Recuse District Attorney

Jordan was admitted to the bar in August 1963 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and attained his law degree at the University of California at Berkeley.

Expect more developments and accusations in this case.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 – 04:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, October 16, 2011 – 09:20 p.m.

San Bernardino County’s pension fund has killed no-bid contracts for two politically-connected consultants.

On October 6, the newly-revamped Board of Trustees for the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) nixed contracts for Orange County-Based Delta Partners LLC and Sacramento-based lobbying firm Platinum Advisors.

Ellis

Delta Partners is owned and operated by political operative David Ellis. Ellis is currently a consultant and advisor to San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops and San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

Granlund

Former State Assemblyman Brett J. Granlund is the player behind the contract awarded to Platinum Advisors.

Granlund, a republican, formerly represented Eastern San Bernardino County’s 65th Assembly District and is a close friend to Ellis Ramos and Hoops.

Platinum is owned by influential democratic lobbyist and businessman Darius Anderson.

Anderson also owns Gold Bridge Capital.

The two consulting contracts centered around the creation of Pacific Public Partners (PPP).

PPP was created, through special legislation secured by Platinum, to manage money dedicated to fund other post employment retirement benefit obligations of other government agencies and jurisdictions.

Delta Partners was to handle the marketing aspect of the scheme.

No serious interest was ever shown in the half-baked conception. A fact contributing to the idea’s demise.

Sources say the concept of a county retirement association marketing it’s investment services to other jurisdictions, which are also members in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS), seemed rather odd to many.

At this point the only entities to reap any financial benefit from the whole idea is Delta and Platinum.

Both firms were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for their part of the failed venture.

Cassie MacDuff

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Cassie MacDuff

Announced changes to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Explorer program in the wake of two deputies charged with having sex with girls in the program seems to put most of the onus on the Explorers.

The kids will be required to keep log books of the time they spend with deputies, get parental permission before Explorer assignments and maintain at least a “C” average in school.

Any official functions that keep an Explorer out after 10 p.m. will require parental permission and authorization by a commander.

And ride-alongs (where the mischief took place) will be limited to no more than once every two months with the same deputy, to prevent close relationships from developing.

So what about the grown-ups? After all, it was adult male deputies who were accused.

Why aren’t deputies who supervise Explorers required to keep log books?

Why aren’t deputies cautioned against getting sexually involved with kids?

Why aren’t deputies psychologically profiled before they’re given access to kids?

I asked Lt. Todd Paterson, who oversees Volunteer Forces including the Explorer Scout program.

The deputies who advise the Explorer program, as well as its supervisors, did get retrained to underscore the program’s goals, guidelines and appropriate behavior, Paterson said.

There are rules against deputies fraternizing with the young Explorers, Paterson said, and before they are hired, deputies undergo psychological screening.

Deputy-advisers are taught to guide Explorers in a “positive, mentoring style,” he said.

To read entire story, click here.

Program had been suspended since spring
September 23, 2011 1:00 PM
Beatriz Valenzuela
Staff Writer

After nearly five months and a full policy review, the ride-along portion of the Sheriffs’ Explorer program has been reinstated with some changes, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said Friday.

“There are limitations on the hours and number of times each week and month that the Explorer can ride,” Cindy Bachman, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department, said in an emailed response. “They are responsible for keeping a log of their activity and getting approval for the different activities they participate in.”

The ride-along portion of the program was suspended in May after two deputies, including one from the Victorville station, were arrested for having sexual relations with female Explorers.

According to Bachman, parents will now play a larger role in the program. They will be required to approve their child’s assignments along with the station’s Explorer program coordinator and watch commander.

For more about the changes to the Explorer program, read the full story in Saturday’s Daily Press. Get complete stories every day with the “exactly as printed” Daily Press E-edition, only $5 per month! Click here to try it free for 7 days. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755,

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 20, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

San Bernardino County public safety officials admitted to being a “little nervous” as they prepare to take over supervision of some low-risk offenders from the state prison system but said Tuesday they also see it as an opportunity to reduce recidivism.

Starting Oct. 1, counties will take over the supervision and custody of some convicts under a state law signed in .

Low-risk offenders — whose crimes are classified as nonviolent, non-serious and non-high-risk sex offenders — being released from prison normally overseen by state parole agents will now be supervised by county probation departments.

Also starting Oct. 1, people convicted of those less serious offenses will serve their sentences at county jails rather than in state prisons. Sheriff Rod Hoops estimated that San Bernardino County’s four jails will get about 300 additional prisoners a month.

“We are about to have a whole bunch of people we in this room consider bad guys that we have to deal with in a new way,” Supervisor Janice Rutherford told about 250 people gathered at Central Park Community Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Rutherford, who convened the meeting, was joined by county public safety and state prison officials in describing the county’s plan for dealing with the prisoner realignment. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the plan at its Sept. 27 meeting.

The county will receive $27 million from the state through sales tax and vehicle license fees for the first year, but the big concern is ensuring continuing funding, Sheriff Rod Hoops said.

“We want some type of guaranteed funding source rather than just a promise,” he said.

County Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said her department expects to receive about 300 offenders for supervision starting Oct. 1, increasing to about 2,500 by June 30, 2012. The number is expected to grow to between 5,500 to 6,500 by the third year of the program.

State prison statistics indicate that 44 percent of those offenders are convicted for drug offenses, 41 percent for property offenses with the remaining for other crimes, according to a county report.

To read entire story, click here.

‘Devil’s Professor’

Officials: Highland man also runs biker gang
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/01/2011 12:07:55 PM PDT

An associate professor at Cal State San Bernardino led a methamphetamine distribution ring that put multiple pounds of the drug on the street every week, sheriff’s investigators said Thursday.

Steve Kinzey, 43, of Highland, also a chapter president of the outlaw motorcycle gang, The Devil’s Diciples, remained at large Thursday but 11 people suspected of distributing drugs for him have been arrested, authorities said.

“Hopefully, we can get our main suspect in custody in the next few days,” said Sheriff Rod Hoops at a news conference at his headquarters in San Bernardino.

The investigation began six months ago during a federal undercover operation involving outlaw biker clubs in the county.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with the FBI and San Bernardino police, launched the “Devil’s Professor” investigation when they identified Kinzey as a suspect involved in criminal activity, authorities said.

Deputies said Kinzey is president of the San Bernardino Mountains chapter of the Devil’s Diciples, a group founded in Fontana in 1967.

Kinzey purchased large amounts of meth from Jeremy Disney, 30, of San Bernardino and distributed ounce quantities to Redlands residents Eric Cortez, 31, and Chelsea Johnson, 34, who then split the drugs into smaller amounts for mid-level and street-level dealers, said sheriff’s Detective Jason Rosenbaum.

The drugs were sold in San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands and Mentone.

Additional suspects in the investigation, authorities said, were Holly Robinson, 33, of Highland, identified as Kinzey’s girlfriend; Hans Preszler, 51, of San Bernardino; Edward Freer, 43, of Helendale; Christopher Rikerd, 37, Elaine Flores, 35, and Stephanie Padilla, 33, all of Redlands; and Wendi Witherell, 34, of Mentone.

The investigation culminated in a raid Aug. 26 at Kinzey’s East Highlands Ranch home, deputies said. Deputies intercepted a pound of meth that was being delivered to the residence, Rosenbaum said.

Kinzey, who has taught kinesiology at Cal State San Bernardino for 10 years, had leather vests emblazoned with the Devil’s Diciples logo, military body armor, brass knuckles and a number of firearms at his home, deputies said.

They said the weapons included a sniper rifle and an AP-9 pistol and that one of the guns was stolen from Los Angeles.

To read entire story, click here.

Tuesday, August 2, 1022 – 09:30 a.m.

In San Bernardino County politics nothing really ever changes in how the game is played. Only the players.

InlandPolitics.com has learned that the impending move of the Aviation Division fleet of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Departmen,t to the San Bernardino International Airport, may be used to aid embattled contractor Scot Spencer.

Sources say officials for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA), Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) and County of San Bernardino are in discussions to possibly house the sheriff’s operation in the empty newly-constructed hangar adjacent to the struggling Million Air facility.

The aviation operation is relocating from its current location at the Rialto Municipal Airport.

The arrangement would be in place until new sheriff’s facilities is constructed at the airport.

One key outcome of the deal in discussion would provide for the county and IVDA to pay funds sufficient to cover Spencer’s rent obligation for the hangar.

Spencer a long-time fixture at the former military base has been failing to make timely rent and property tax payments in breach of his multiple contracts with SBIAA.

Airport officials are even offering sheriff’s employees access to the main Million Air complex for housing and meeting facilities.

We’re just not sure if that includes the new baby-grand piano in the lobby.

07:23 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 6, 2011

By BRIAN ROKOS
The Press-Enterprise

The 60-day suspension of Explorer ride-alongs with San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies that was scheduled to expire Tuesday will be extended while a review of the entire program is completed, a spokeswoman said.

Sheriff Rod Hoops on May 5 suspended Explorer ride-alongs in the wake of a second deputy being arrested on suspicion of having sex with an underage female Explorer. Both incidents were alleged to have occurred on ride-alongs.

The Explorer program provides youths 14-21 who are interested in law-enforcement careers an up-close experience in the field.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said Tuesday that reviewers have not yet submitted their findings and suggestions, and that there is no timetable to do so.

She said the suggestions are expected to include having the Explorers track a case as a deputy might, from the arrest to the incarceration. The Explorer would watch the deputy do the paperwork and would go to court.
The Explorer program provides youths interested in law enforcement careers an up-close look at the field.

Also, Explorers’ parents would be more involved by participating in meetings and observing training, Miller said.

The program is continuing without the ride-alongs. The latest two-week Explorer academy concluded Thursday with 45 prospective Explorers taking part in a simulated building search during which they shot at instructors using paintball guns.
Deputy Jassmyn Sanchez prepares potential Explorers for a training exercise that included a simulated building search.

To read entire story, click here.

Mitzelfelt

High Desert supervisor protests cuts to public safety
June 17, 2011 8:41 AM
Natasha Lindstrom
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO • Citing concerns over “extremely troubling” cuts to public safety, 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said he plans to vote against the proposed San Bernardino County budget when it goes up for approval June 28.

“I’m opposed to the budget because of the fact that I believe we’re putting money into things that are not urgent priorities compared to the public safety and law and justice challenges that we have,” Mitzelfelt said by phone Thursday evening.

As the county works to close a $46.6 million deficit, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux has pitched a budget that eliminates 77 probation and 33 District Attorney’s office positions, defers staffing the Adelanto Detention Center and reduces supplies and services in the Sheriff’s Department.

The budget states that cuts will lead to the “virtual elimination” of the DA’s identity theft unit and diminish prosecutors’ ability to handle family violence, gang and auto theft crimes.

“If you’d have told me a year ago that that is being considered I wouldn’t have believed you,” Mitzelfelt said.

He expressed concerns over a disproportionate amount of vacant deputy positions in unincorporated areas, and cutting back on safety just as Gov. Jerry Brown’s “realignment” plan looks to shift control from the state to county level of some 4,300 inmates.

At the Board of Supervisors’ budget workshop on Thursday, Sheriff Rod Hoops said his department has more than 210 vacant positions, including 90 sworn deputies, and that cuts have forced him to shelve a planned $25 million crime lab.

District Attorney Michael Ramos acknowledged his department was understaffed — he hasn’t hired anyone in three years — and overworked, with nearly 3,000 cases currently backlogged.

To minimize cuts to public safety, Mitzelfelt has proposed dipping into contingency funds and stalling road maintenance and capital improvement projects. He criticized budget allocations of $8 million on a new pavement management program and $15.3 million to repair and modernize county buildings.

Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford argued Thursday that the county has failed at keeping up with capital improvements and that it will cost more in the long run if facilities aren’t kept in shape.

For more about the proposed county budget, read the full story in Friday’s Daily Press. Get complete stories every day with the “exactly as printed” Daily Press E-edition, only $5 per month! Click here to try it free for 7 days. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755, 1-800-553-2006 or click here.

10:08 PM PDT on Thursday, June 9, 2011

By RICHARD BROOKS
The Press-Enterprise

A deputy sheriff will be prosecuted on felony criminal charges that accuse him of having sex with an underage female Explorer scout, San Bernardino County district attorney officials announced Thursday.

Prosecutors filed two counts of oral copulation with a person under the age of 18 against Deputy Anthony James Benjamin, of Beaumont. The five-year sheriff’s veteran is scheduled to be arraigned July 6 in Victorville where he was assigned.

The victim is 18, but was 17 when the incidents occurred, beginning last July, according to the charges.

Benjamin, 30, is among two deputies who have been arrested since April on charges of having sex with female Explorers, a scouting group sponsored by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Benjamin is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a departmental investigation, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman. Deputy Nathan James Gastineau, of Redlands, was arrested April 22 for investigation of committing a lewd act with a 16-year-old girl.

To read entire story, click here.

10:48 PM PDT on Thursday, May 26, 2011

By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY and IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Falsifying attendance at training courses to qualify San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies for higher pay was a common practice condoned and enforced by office supervisors, grand jury testimony shows.

Transcripts released this week revealed a training office supervisor told a visitor in 2009 that she had been padding attendance at deputy training courses for “the past 10 years….and they’ve been doing it before I got transferred up here.”

The claims were attributed to indicted sheriff’s training specialist Angela Gray by witness Michelle Grossi, who recounted a visit to Gray to discuss getting enough credentials for an advanced training certificate.

Grossi said Gray told her she would enroll her into deputy training classes even though Grossi told Gray she couldn’t attend all the classes.

“I told her, I said, that doesn’t sound right, are you sure, and she said, it’s no big deal,” Grossi testified. “…she kind of gave me the reassurance that it was just common practice within the Department.”

In early March, a grand jury indicted seven current and former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s employees with multiple charges of perjury, grand theft and conspiracy.

According to the indictment, Angela Gray, 42, and Sallyann Christian, 45, who worked at the sheriff’s training academy, falsified attendance records to indicate that Cpl. Detective David Pichotta, 48, retired Lt. William Maddox, 57, Lt. Russell Wilke, 44, retired Assistant Sheriff Michael Stodelle, 64, and retired Capt. Hobart Gray, 51 — who is married to Angela Gray — got credit for courses they didn’t attend.

Prosecutors say the defendants falsified credits they earned, allowing them to boost their salaries and receive increased retirement pay.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops said through a spokesperson that he has not read the transcripts and would not comment.

Hoops previously has said that he believes investigators have identified all those who were involved in the alleged fraud. Last week, he said that there could be additional “disciplinary action down the road,” but he did not elaborate.

At a news conference announcing the charges, District Attorney Mike Ramos said the alleged thefts ranged from $2,000 to as much as $100,000, when retirement increases are considered

The defendants have pleaded not guilty. They return to court for a hearing Aug. 26. Prosecutors say the defendants face penalties of between three years and eight months to five years and eight months in prison if convicted.

‘GREED AND THEFT’

The sheriff’s training academy in Devore is one of more than 600 agencies credentialed by the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, to offer law enforcement training. Classes also are offered through San Bernardino Valley College.

Deputies earn credits through their courses that allow them to earn certificates through POST. The county’s contract with sheriff’s employees promises them pay increases when they move up in certification level.

In more than 500 pages of grand jury testimony from late February and early March, Grossi and 21 other witnesses detailed how defendants’ names were placed on course attendance lists to earn POST credentials.

Even though Pichotta, Maddox, Wilke, Stodelle and Hobart Gray never attended class, the courses were used to qualify them for raises.

“What this case boils down to is greed and theft,” Deputy District Attorney Daniel Silverman told the grand jury. “…People wanted to make more money and here was an easy way to do it.”

Grossi said in testimony that she was demoted from a sheriff’s deputy to a custody specialist as a result of her role in what Silverman referred to as “the POST scandal.”

She testified after signing an agreement with the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office that she will not be prosecuted if she testifies truthfully. She was one of two witnesses who received such assurances from prosecutors.

Revelation of discrepancies in her POST credential class transcripts led to an internal investigation of the training program in August 2009.

A secretary at the sheriff’s academy who Grossi approached to get POST certification noticed she had two “F’s” and became suspicious — testimony before the grand jury indicated “F” grades usually meant failure to attend the class.

“To your knowledge, is this what … broke open this investigation that we’re talking about here today?” Silverman asked lead investigator Lt. Stephen Dorsey.

“Yes. That’s what brought attention to what was going on here,” he said.

During the grand jury proceedings, Silverman said that the investigation began as an administrative investigation into Hobart Gray and Grossi but became a criminal investigation as other suspects were identified.

That administrative investigation has been put on hold until the criminal investigation is completed, he said.

TWO PLACES AT ONCE

Grand jury testimony outlined how investigators recognized signs that someone had signed up for a class they did not take, such as names consistently appearing on either the top or bottom of a sign-up sheet, suggesting someone had listed their names ahead of time or added them afterward.

The sign-in sheets also had signatures that did not match verified signatures, and incomplete information such as missing or incorrect rank and no employee number. And the targets of the investigation seemed to be taking courses that had little to do with their current jobs.

“So it was kind of a systematic pattern that we started to look at and as we recognized these patterns we actually went through class files from 1999 forward, looking for other suspected rosters,” testified Dorsey, who now supervises training for the department.

Dorsey said investigators also checked travel reimbursement requests filed by the suspects against the time they should have been attending their classes.

With Stodelle, Dorsey noted that travel reimbursement claims for trips to Rialto and Victorville in October 2000 matched the days he was supposed to be in a gang awareness class.

“In essence, is it fair to say, Lieutenant, that we have documents that seem to show that this individual, Mr. Stodelle was in two places at one time?,” Silverman asked.

“That is correct,” Dorsey answered.

Testimony suggested complaints preceding the investigation were not addressed.

Instructor Gordon Clemmer testified that he had “vented” about planted roster names and no-shows to classrooms to then-Sgt. Mark Plemondon, who had oversight of Advance Officer Training. The transcripts show Clemmer noticed the problems in 2008 and 2009, but it is not clear when he complained about them.

Nothing came of it, Clemmer said.

“It upset me that somebody would add a name to my roster without me knowing about it for several reasons. Not the least of which being liability issues we would face,” Clemmer testified.

Since the investigation, the Sheriff’s Department changed its sign-in procedures for training classes.

Students are now required to show a photo ID and sign an attendance sheet so signatures can be compared later if necessary.

Training staff now physically verify attendance three times the first day and at the beginning and end of each day for the remainder of the course. Instructors must also sign in.

‘RUNNING THE SHOW’

Grand jury witnesses said Angela Gray and Christian essentially had free rein to run the training academy and made it difficult for those who didn’t follow their orders.

A clerk and two assistants who worked in the training academy said they were often told by Gray and Christian to add the names of Stodelle, Hobart Gray, Michelle Grossi, Pichotta and Wilke to class rosters.

Stacy Asboth, who worked as an office assistant at the training center, said she felt she had no choice but to follow their instructions. Asboth, who was granted immunity for her testimony, said Angela Gray could have a “very bad temper.”

Asboth and another office assistant, Giovanna Lowell, said Angela Gray made it known that her husband was a captain and expected a certain amount of respect.

To read entire story, click here.

Hoops

11:01 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 18, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops is putting plans for a new crime lab on hold to help avoid layoffs in his department while also anticipating that a jail expansion project may not be fully staffed when it opens.

With his department facing the possibility of drastic cuts due to the county’s budget woes, Hoops said his priority is maintaining operations at their current level.

“As sheriff, I’m going to do everything I can to avoid layoffs,” Hoops said in an interview Wednesday.

In a budget workshop earlier this month, Chief Operating Officer Greg Devereaux said the county may need to make $82 million in cuts to deal with an ongoing five-year budget gap. The Sheriff’s Department’s proportionate share of those cuts is about $26.5 million — the equivalent of 212 deputies, he said.

That represents about two-thirds of the deputies assigned to patrol in the county’s unincorporated areas. Both Hoops and Devereaux said they are not contemplating such a cut, saying it would jeopardize public safety. But it still leaves a large gap for the department to fill.

Halting the crime lab project will provide $25 million over the next three years for operations, Hoops said. The county began negotiations to purchase property in San Bernardino for the project earlier this year but has since tabled those talks.

The sheriff said he expects to have another $10 million available through asset seizure funds and find additional savings by continuing to reduce overtime and cutting back on the purchase of supplies and equipment.

Hoops said he hopes to restart the crime lab project — which he called his top capital projects priority — when county finances improve. He described the current facility as cramped and outdated.

Construction of his department’s other big project — the expansion of the Adelanto jail facility — is already under way and expected to be complete by summer 2013.

The state is providing $100 million in funding for the project, which will add 1,368 beds to the 706-bed facility.

Hoops said the jail will start housing prisoners within 90 days after it is complete but he is unsure if he will be able to immediately hire the full 120 deputies needed to staff it. He expects to have it fully staffed within two years of its opening.

One solution may be to transfer staff from the existing jail to the new facility, which is more efficiently designed and requires less staff to operate, Hoops said.

The Sheriff’s Department budget also hinges on $5 million in savings through cuts to some health and retirement benefits that Devereaux has asked employees to give up. The San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association is asking its members if they will agree to the concessions but has not made a commitment so far.

To read entire story, click here.

By Mike Cruz Staff Writer
Created: 05/12/2011 07:29:44 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The four defendants facing charges in the investigation over the $102 million Colonies settlement were in protective custody while in county jail to ensure their safety and help jail personnel maintain effective control in the Central Detention Center, sheriff’s officials said.

The defendants – Jeffrey Burum, Paul Biane, James Erwin and Mark Kirk – were arrested Tuesday morning after the San Bernardino County Grand Jury filed a 29-count indictment against the foursome and were then booked into the county jail facility.

The four men are accused of having roles in the allegedly fraudulent settlement of the county’s lawsuit with developer Colonies Partners LP, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

In court, the defendants were seen wearing a jail-issued green jumpsuit, signifying they are in protective custody.

Sheriff’s officials say the booking process is where the decision on housing placement occurs. As each person is booked into the jail, housing review officers ask a series of questions as part of a classification process that will help determine where they should be housed.

“Based on the information that they provide, that’s how we determine where they should be housed within the facility,” explained Cindy Bachman, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.

For example, because Erwin is a former law enforcement officer, jail housing officers determined he would be safest in a single-man cell in protective custody, or Administrative Segregation at the jail, Bachman said.

“In his career at some point, he arrested people, and he could possibly run into someone that he arrested,” Bachman said. The other defendants – Burum, Biane and Kirk – were housed in a similar way because of their status in the community.

Bachman reiterated the housing placement isn’t just for the inmate’s safety, but to also maintain control of the facility and prevent fights.

To read entire story, click here.

Explorer post in Yucaipa targeted
Melissa Pinion-Whitt and Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/06/2011 06:19:03 PM PDT

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy previously assigned to Yucaipa was the target of an investigation earlier this year after inappropriate conduct with a girl in the Explorer program was alleged.

The deputy, reassigned to the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino in April, has not been charged or arrested in the case.

“The criminal investigation was completed and submitted to the (district attorney) for review,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said. “The case was rejected.”

The deputy is the third to be suspected of inappropriate conduct with a girl in a sheriff’s Explorer post this year.

Investigators began looking into the Yucaipa Explorer allegations when they were made at the beginning of the year, Bachman said.

The source of the allegations was not disclosed.

The investigators submitted a case to the District Attorney’s Office, recommending charges of annoying or molesting a child, Bachman said.

But Deputy District Attorney Bobbie Mann rejected the case on April 27, said district attorney’s spokeswoman Susan Mickey.

There was insufficient evidence to file charges against the deputy, said prosecutor Denise Trager-Dvorak, Mann’s supervisor.

No follow-up investigation by the Sheriff’s Department is expected, Bachman said.

This newspaper is withholding the name of the deputy because no arrest has been made.

To read entire story, click here.

By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 05/05/2011 04:53:02 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops said Thursday his agency will go through its Explorer program “with a fine toothed-comb” after a second deputy in two weeks was accused of having sex with a teenage girl in the program.

Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Benjamin, 30, of Beaumont, a five-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department and supervisor of the Victorville Explorer post, was arrested at 12:30 a.m. Thursday at sheriff’s headquarters in San Bernardino and booked at Central Detention Center, also in San Bernardino.

Benjamin posted $100,000 bail at 6 a.m., authorities said. An arraignment date is pending.

Benjamin, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, is accused of conducting sex acts with a 17-year-old girl during deputy ride-alongs.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon at his headquarters in San Bernardino, Hoops expressed alarm and anger at what he called “a sad day for the department.”

“As San Bernardino County sheriff and a parent myself, this is very disheartening,” he said.

The Explorer program gives law enforcement training and experience to students from 141/2 to 21 years old.

Hoops said the Sheriff’s Department is full of former Explorers who used their volunteer experience as a springboard to careers in law enforcement.

The Sheriff’s Department hosts 245 Explorers at 15 stations, Hoops said.

Its ride-along program will be suspended for 60 days. Hoops said he hopes the review of the Explorer program itself will be completed during that period.

“We’re going to be looking at everything from training to the selection of the people involved,” he said. “We are going to look at the entire program to see if there’s something we need to change to prevent this from happening and that the kids involved in the program are protected.”

Hoops said most of the deputies who lead Explorer posts do a good job and the public shouldn’t assume the worst in light of the latest allegations.

“We don’t want to throw the entire program under the bus,” he said. “We can’t judge a good program based on what I would call the despicable actions of a few.”

Part of the review process will include getting parents more involved with the Explorer program, Hoops said.

“The parents need to be more aware of what we’re trying to do and what the program is all about,” he said.

Benjamin is the second deputy in less than two weeks to be arrested on suspicion of having sex with a minor in the program.

“We received an anonymous tip that a male deputy may have had sex with a female Explorer,” Hoops said.

Detectives rushed to Victorville to conduct an investigation that resulted in Benjamin’s arrest, he said.

When asked if investigators served a search warrant at Benjamin’s home, Hoops would not comment.

“That is a part of our investigation at this time,” he said.

To read entire story, click here.

Cuts in services, perks proposed
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/03/2011 10:18:47 PM PDT

San Bernardino County’s best chance at staving off a $125 million budget gap by 2020 is to increase revenue, reduce public services, be more efficient and reduce compensation to employees, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux said Tuesday.

Devereaux painted a bleak picture of the county’s fiscal future during a budget presentation to the Board of Supervisors, citing service shortfalls, staffing at the new Adelanto jail, labor contracts and retirement costs as the culprits.

But the bigger issue, Devereaux said, is an ongoing annual deficit of $82 million.

He’s proposing a slash to public services to the tune of $29.3 million a year, and a $30 million reduction in compensation to county employees that includes smaller yearly raises, called step increases, and having employees pay more into their pension plans.

On April 5, the board approved concessions for the county’s 537 exempt employees – including county administrators and supervisors’ staff members. The concessions included cutting annual raises from 5 percent to 2.5 percent, changing a health care benefit so that it won’t count toward employee pensions and ending the county’s practice of paying for most of an employee’s pension contribution – a move that amounts to a 7 percent pay cut.

Devereaux is hoping the county’s two biggest labor unions, the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA) and San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA), will agree to the same concessions, which would save the county an additional $22.7 million a year.

But the county has already faced opposition from the county’s two top law enforcement officials, Sheriff Rod Hoops and District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, who have not agreed to the concessions. Hoops said he is considering it. Ramos has refused to discuss the matter.

To read entire story, click here.

Friday, April 29, 2011 – 11:25 a.m.

InlandPoltics.com has provided limited coverage of the investigation and case surrounding the falsification of training records within the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Primarily out of respect for the rank and file members within the department.

That is until now.

It has always been the belief that Sheriff Rod Hoops doesn’t really care for District Attorney Mike Ramos.

The only common thread is the two share the same political advisor, Orange County-based consultant David Ellis, who Hoops retained at Ramos’ urging.

A mistake on Hoops’ part, as Ellis is a known as political bag man for Ramos, and his loyalties will always rest with the District Attorney.

However, Hoops and Ramos seem to have closely aligned as allies over the past year. A mysterious and puzzling turn to say the least. The two have even aligned over the issue of refusing to accept pay and benefit concessions. A subject highlighted in a article published in Friday’s edition of The Sun.

Attention and heat that I’m sure Hoops isn’t enjoying.

Now the likely reason for the alliance has surfaced.

Obviously the presentation of charges against only 7 employees, in and of itself, was reason for concern.

Only “seven” in a scheme as elaborate has depicted? The term “being used as scapegoats” comes to mind.

And as everyone knows, when there is individuals being made into scapegoats, the anger and resentment eventually set in. After this, it’s only a matter of time before it all spills out.

As many, including myself, have suspected, there is a problem. Sources say the criminal investigation conducted by Ramos’ office was sanitized to protect certain current and former high ranking department executives.

In other words, the list of more than twenty-five involved, was cut down to seven.

A second sheriff’s headquarters source has indicated that upwards of seventy individuals are the subject of administrative investigations being handled by the departments internal affairs division.

A process, administered under California Government Code section 3300 et seq. A process which protects the identities of those involved.

The same source says Ramos pretty much has Hoops by the throat now.

We can’t say we’re not surprised. But we are extremely disappointed.

Can you say compromised?

James Rufus Koren and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Created: 04/28/2011 09:50:02 PM PDT

All of San Bernardino County’s elected officials, except for District Attorney Michael A. Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops, have agreed to the same benefit cuts being asked of all county employees.

The county Board of Supervisors has asked all county workers to take smaller raises and pay more toward their pension plans, a move that would save the county $30 million annually.

Board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales, who has accepted the changes to her pay, said it’s important for elected officials to participate as well.

“Actions speak louder than words,” she said. “We must be able to, through our actions, show the taxpayer that we’re all in this economic pain together.”

Hoops said he is considering accepting the changes.

County spokesman David Wert said Ramos has not signed a waiver accepting the changes. Ramos issued a statement saying he is “very appreciative of what I receive as compensation for the constitutional duties I perform for the safety of our citizens.”

On April 5, the board approved concessions for the county’s 537 exempt employees – including county administrators and supervisors’ staff members. The concessions included cutting annual raises from 5 percent to 2.5 percent, changing a health care benefit so that it won’t count toward employee pensions and ending the county’s practice of paying for most of an employee’s pension contribution – a move that amounts to a 7 percent pay cut.

The board is asking for similar concessions from all county employees and is in the process of bargaining with public employee unions. County firefighters accepted the concessions on April 14.

The concessions, for firefighters and exempt employees, include a so-called “me-too” clause, meaning that those employees won’t have to go through with the concessions if other employee groups don’t sign on.

The only people on the county payroll who aren’t subject to the “me-too” clause and who weren’t asked to take the concessions were elected officials.

Nevertheless, each county supervisor, Assessor Dennis Draeger and Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker have agreed to the same concessions.

“They’re all keenly aware of the fact concessions were imposed on the exempt group and that the firefighters accepted similar concessions,” Wert said. “Being aware of that, (elected officials) decided on their own whether or not to do it.”

Draeger, Walker and the supervisors, with the exception of supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt, have agreed to waive for one year the county’s payment of their pension contributions.

Derry agreed to pay the full amount into his retirement benefits from June 18 through July 15, and Mitzelfelt only agreed to the concessions for 13 days, from June 18 to July 1. Both said they would continue to take the concessions but did not want to lock themselves into lengthy agreements if negotiations with county employees fizzled.

Draeger said accepting the concessions himself was “the fair and equitable thing to do.”

Hoops has not agreed to the concessions, though Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Rod Torres said Hoops is considering it.

He said Hoops is holding off signing any benefit waiver until he sees how the unions respond to the county’s request. Hoops doesn’t want to lock himself into an irrevocable agreement should negotiations fail, Torres said.

In addition, Hoops wants to review a clause that allows employees with 30 or more years of county service to opt out of the concessions for one year, Torres said.

Ramos released a statement Wednesday saying, “The salary structure for elected officials in San Bernardino County is different than that for all other county employees.

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