iePolitics: Our law enforcement at work
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Category Archives: Rod Hoops
iePolitics: A reminder
This evening I had to do something I have not had to do many times. I forwarded a comment from the blog to the Sheriff’s Department. (No, I did not allow the comment to post so you will never know what it said or who said it.) If you use the blog to commit a crime, you lose your right to privacy and I WILL REPORT IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. I am not going to tolerate such postings. This is one of the reasons why the blog is on moderate.
For those who claim captains are too busy to answer email, Sheriff Hoops responded to me within an hour even though I told him a response was not necessary. Thank you Sheriff Hoops.
And for the naysayers, no, I did not ask the sheriff to take action. However, just in case the commentor has the ability to carry through, I wanted to be sure law enforcement knew the action was being suggested.
Again, please keep this as a safe community for everyone to express their thoughts. Don’t do stupid stuff.
iePolitics: Sheriff McMahon?
I may have it spelled wrong but everyone knows who he is. We’ve been hearing for some time he is being groomed as the next Sheriff. It’s always nice to know that neither the Board of Supervisors or the voters get a choice in the matter.
iePolitics: We found the beef
It seems that William “Beef” Abernathie is back with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in the same cushy position from which he left. What else would we expect?
iePolitics: Congratulations to Buzz, or is it Woody?
Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops
Editor’s Note: The photo above is from Ramos’ Facebook page. Even we would not stoop this low. See previous post.
Ramos to represent California in national group
Staff Report
Created: 06/29/2011 03:42:31 PM PDT
The Board of Directors for the National District Attorneys Association has unanimously voted in District Attorney Michael A. Ramos as its newest member.
Ramos will hold the position for one year, and he has been asked by NDAA President-elect Jan Scully to serve as co-chair of the committee for corrections and prison re-entry, according to a press statement released today by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
“Because of my work as president of the CDAA with Governor Brown on AB 109 this past year, I have been noticed as an expert in this area,” said Ramos, who is serving in his third term as the county’s top prosecutor.
Read more: http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_18378230#ixzz1Qp494eI2
iePolitics: Promotions at the Sheriff’s Department
I see that Sheriff Hoops and Greg Devereaux are cut from the same cloth. In two organizations already top heavy with administrators, they both find it more important to take care of administrators than line staff. Here are the latest rewards:
Chief McMahon has been promoted to Asst Sheriff. Maybe now he can get his cars registered in California, the state that he lives in. Lt Newcome, the one that covered for Captain Yoder during his domestic violence issue has been promoted to Captain.
iePolitics: Sex in the yearbook
I had to point out this comment from Steve Brow to everyone. One of my all-time favorites:
Fassari, yours is the most intelligent post on this thread. I was editor of my high school magazine. Of course I pushed the limit on humor and content and was very worried what would pass my journaoism teacher and the Principal. I did not get censored.
There can not be intention of possessing child porn for refusing to turn in a yearbook that was purchased not only innocently but by expectation according to traditions spanning a century. Any blame lies with the student page editor, the yearbook editor, the yearbook supervisor, and the principal.
There is also the news value aspect to the photo. It was a depiction of what student society actually was at the high school and what was possible under the established supervision.
Finally, were not these students only emulating what they saw in their heros at the SBSD and the San Bernardino County DA office? Or are we to expect that our curious students never log into iepolitcs.com?
What are you teaching our kids, Mr. Hoops and Mr. Ramos?
iePolitics: Interesting
I noticed a large number of hits coming from a site called www.indianrunner.net. The site’s tag line is “A publication of opinion for Tribal Members by Tribal Members created by Members of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.” It would appear this publication confirms that Bill Abernathie was in fact hired to head up security and not everyone is happy about it.
iePolitics: Hmm . . . no more Batman and Robin?
Maybe we have our answer already from Mike Ramos’ Facebook page—that’s right Mikey and Rod, blocking me does no good as I have spies everywhere!
Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops
Some may remember the post from long ago regarding the photo on Ramos’ wall depicting Gary Penrod and himself as Batman and Robin. We speculated at the time that Rod Hoops was not a tights-wearing-kind-of-guy and we were right. Seems cowboy boots are more his style. Now, which one is Woody?
iePolitics: Conspiracy theory No. 4
I have to admit that I didn’t believe this one until I confirmed it with sources inside the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The issue arose once the transcripts of the grand jury POST scandal indictments were made public.
In those transcripts, it is claimed that the padding of POST records went on for years before Angie Gray took over the scam. Any guesses as to who might have been stationed out at the Academy during part of those “years” when the crimes were being committed. Yep, you guessed it—none other than Rod Hoops. Ya think he has more to hide than we realized to begin with?
iePolitics: From a reader . . .
Can anyone verify this?
I just heard they promoted Don Yoder to Captain at Victorville, what a joke. I guess Hoops likes people who mess with females. Yoder had a Restraining Order against him from Deputy xxxxxx. He was 35′ing it with her and when she called it off he threatened her and started to stalk her. She obtained a Restraining Order, but he disobeyed it and continued to harass her and the department did nothing as usual. Hoops keep up the good work promoting idiots with baggage.
iePolitics: The other Victorville Explorer incident
I posted the information I did on the incident at the Victorville fairgrounds this past weekend to see what would come out. In reality, the Explorer aspect of that situation is hardly the most serious. I’ve been surprised that the more important parts have yet to be discussed. I’m still not going to write specifics about the off-duty cop, the incompetent sergeant, the multiple priors for excessive force, or the lawsuit that will make CNN if anyone was quick enough to snap a few pictures or take a video. From what I understand, it was so egregious that citizens have come forward to complain. And once again I’d be willing to bet Sheriff Rod Hoops has not bothered to brief the BOS as to the significant liability that two of his deputies caused for taxpayers, instead hoping it will all be covered up. So what else is new?
iePolitics: So did you see the POST article?
Friday’s Press Enterprise confirmed much of what we have been saying for almost two years, even though many of you called us liars. Did you note that those who testified before the Grand Jury indicated that it went on for years, maybe ten years or more? Does anyone really believe now that just seven individuals, with only five benefitting since two were clerks, is all that were involved? I’m sure all the brown nosers will come in here and claim just that.
iePolitics: Another explorer incident?
We have received a report from a citizen about yet another incident where an Explorer was put in a position they never should have been put in. It involves an excessive use of force incident at the Victorville fairgrounds this past weekend. Although we have already been able to confirm part of the story, we would appreciate added details by anyone who was at the fair and witnessed it. We suspects the lawsuits are already being prepared.
iePolitics: It’s management stupid
We often hear that this blog is for disgruntled county employees. Of those employees who post here that I know who they are, very few are simply disgruntled county employees. Most have been around a long time and remember the days before Jerry Eaves and Jim Hlawek when we could be proud to say we worked for the County of San Bernardino. As a matter of fact, a majority of those who post here are among the finest, hardest-working employees this county ever had the privilege of employing.
So why do they post? Today’s arrest of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Benjamin is a perfect example. Behind the scenes we are hearing some negative things about him, but there are two much more notable aspects to this arrest: Cliff Reynolds and Gina Perez. Use the search button at the top to search this blog for either of those names and you will find an eyeful of information about coverup, lying, incompetence, and a host of other issues. Reynolds is his captain and Perez is in charge of the station’s Explorer Scouts.
iePolitics: More from informants
Here are a couple more tips regarding SBSD cops and Explorer Scouts. Perhaps someone can confirm or dispel.
You might want to check on a rumor that Duran was moved from Fontana to Yucaipa for allegedly doing the same thing. Just fyi.
and
iePolitics: We missed one!
Not sure how this one slipped past my informants, but it did. (Any chance this is the same guy as Yucaipa? I heard that one was transferred to the jail.) Thanks to the person who sent me the article from the Press Enterprise. I’m using the Sun version because I don’t get threatening letters from them.
Deputy held in sex case
Father says Gastineau preyed on 16-year-old girl in Explorers
Posted: 04/24/2011 10:47:28 PM PDT
Gastineau
A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and placed on administrative leave late Friday, the same day the department received information he may have had sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl, according to a Sunday news release.
Nathan Gastineau, a 30-year-old Redlands resident and 1998 graduate of Redlands High School, was assigned to the sheriff’s Highland station, where he was a leader of the Explorers program.
The program gives law- enforcement training to students from 14 1/2 to 21 years old.
iePolitics: Question for SO
When someone from the sheriff’s department uses a county computer to look at the blog I see “County of San Bernardino” just like I do for any department. The only way I may know who it might be is if it is someone who has a static IP address and I know it. However, certain hits instead show “San Bernardino County Sheriff/IRNET.” I’m assuming that is in reference to their major narcotics team. It seems to me you would not necessarily want the average person knowing that IRNET is looking at their site. Am I wrong? I know IRNET is an acronym for other things too.
VVDP: Sheriff weighs suspension of more deputies
Editor’s Note: This is the second in the series of stories related to the sex scandal in Victorville Sheriff’s Department 25 years ago. This story ran in the Daily Press on February 21, 1986. Note how similar former Sheriff Tidwell’s response to this scandal is to Sheriff Hoops’ response to the POST scandal. Also of interest is that the crime that started this whole thing occurred on February 14. The case was expected to be submitted to the district attorney just 11 days later. Compare that to the POST scandal.
Tidwell says 2 could be sent home today
By Elizabeth Chambers
Daily Press Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO—At least two more of the Victorville station’s 43 street deputies will probably be suspended today by county Sheriff Floyd Tidwell, as an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. continues.
So far, three deputies are under administrative leave, stripped of their badges and guns, and two have resigned. Tidwell said this morning he anticipates “two more suspensions today, and possibly a third.”
The sheriff added that he is “devastated” by the events leading to his investigation of charges that the deputies had sexual relations with an Explorer Scout from the Victorville station before she turned 18 years of age, and that one raped her Feb. 14.
iePolitics: Sheriff’s Automotive
The Rangers inquiries led to some interesting stories about Sheriff’s Automotive and Al Daniels. Now we know why the recommendations from San Bernardino County’s vehicle study over a year and a half after they were made have not been implemented. It seems Sheriff’s Department brass get some very special deals as do other people such as Sheriff’s Rangers.
iePolitics: Sheriff’s Rangers
I received information this morning about a traffic stop made yesterday by a Sheriff’s Ranger:
I saw one of these special sheriffs rangers Duane Bygum pulled over a vehicle on the northbound I-15 while he was driving an unmarked sheriffs jeep with lights today at 5:30pm. He was in jeans and a t-shirt and did not even have a gun. I do not know how this could be safe or even close to being in policy. Just an example of how the sheriffs department let’s these rangers do whatever they want.
He has been known to preach his cathloic views on traffic stops and is often seen wearing his uniform to dinner in Victorville. I wonder if it is to get a discount.
There was quite a bit more information but I do not want to print it until I get permission as it is conceivable the person who gave it to me could be identified by it.
SBSun: Sheriff’s candidate wants grand jury to probe department — Originally posted 4-8-10
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/08/2010 05:46:03 PM PDT
A candidate for sheriff criticized the Sheriff’s Department on Thursday and demanded a grand jury investigation, saying internal misconduct has been swept under the rug.
Deputy Mark Averbeck claimed high-ranking officials have been falsifying certifications that netted them extra pay.
When reached on his cell phone after Averbeck’s news conference, Sheriff Rod Hoops confirmed that an investigation has been ongoing since the allegations came to light in September and said charges may be coming. Continue reading
iePolitics: Seriously folks, does anyone NOT see a coverup considering what has since occurred?
I re-posted a memo from Sheriff Hoops from almost a year ago below. I will also re-post the newspaper articles if I can find them.
iePolitics: A Memo from Sheriff Rod Hoops . . . Let Me Interpret–Originally posted April 17,2010
Sheriff Hoops, First off, you need to find yourself a new secretary. Secretarial skills should at least be one of the qualifications required before you hire someone for such a position! As an elected official, you are judged by what you produce. If I could have figured out a way, I would have used my handy-dandy red pen on your memo. Please try harder to have your staff produce professional-looking documents. For those who have not seen it:
iePolitics: POST
I have not posted much on the scandal in the past few days because I wanted to wait to see how things unfold. During this time I have had a chance to speak with a number of current SBSD employees. All have pointed out to me various aspects of the case that show very sloppy investigative work and questionable items in the indictments. A lot does not add up. Additionally, we have now heard from two defense counsel that there are a number of additional defendants; however, we cannot confirm if they will be handled administratively or criminally.
Examiner: Seven Sheriff’s Department employees busted for fraud
Today seven current or retired members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were indicted on a variety of felonies involving falsification of training records that resulted in higher rates of pay and higher retirement allowances. Among those indicted were retired Assistant Sheriff Mike Stodelle, Lieutenant Russell Wilke, Detective David Pichotta, and retired Lieutenant Bill Maddox. Pichotta is the former son-in-law of retired Sheriff Gary Penrod.
Others indicted include retired Captain Hobart Gray, who is charged with perjury, grand theft and conspiracy; his wife Angie Gray, charged with three counts of conspiracy, two counts of attempted grand theft, and one county of grand theft; and Sallyann Christian, charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of grand theft.
iePolitics: Does any member of the BOS understand the significance of what happened today?
We have been telling you and telling you and not one of you has had balls enough to do something about this. Do you realize that by Sheriff’ Hoops lying to you and allowing those indicted today to remain on duty, every single investigation they handled for the past two years or more is in jeopardy?
And if former Assistant Sheriff Mike Stodelle is really involved, he retired in 2006 or earlier. That means that investigations going back to 2006, and perhaps earlier, could be in jeopardy. We really have no idea the number of victims that potentially may no receive justice.
iePolitics: So why are there Brady cops anyway?
We’ve written articles on the subject of Brady cops just a time or two. For those who do not know what they are, here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) was a United States Supreme Court case in which the prosecution had withheld from the criminal defendant certain evidence. The defendant challenged his conviction, arguing it had been contrary to the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Police officers who have been dishonest are sometimes referred to as “Brady cops.” Because of the Brady ruling, prosecutors are required to notify defendants and their attorneys whenever a law enforcement official involved in their case has a sustained record for knowingly lying in an official capacity. Brady evidence also includes evidence material to credibility of a civilian witness, such as evidence of false statements by the witness or evidence that a witness was paid to act as an informant.
So, I ask, Why do Brady cops exist? Seriously. This goes back to my post earlier today.
iePolitics: New POST information
We were not going to post this, but rather wait a few days to see what happens. But now we have the information from two separate sources, one being the Sheriff’s Department and one being a member of the bar. As with everything, we are going to post this as rumor and see what transpires.
We are being told there will be a second round of indictments. We have been told that today’s indictments were just the felonies. We are being told that there will be 20 more misdemeanor indictments and the defendants will be charged with PC 32, which makes sense for all the brass who looked the other way and allowed this to happen.
iePolitics: Rumors first
We are hearing that S-23 is packed with people awaiting the arraignments of those indicted/charged today in the POST scandal. The names coming out so far are:
- Deputy Chief Mike Stodelle (retired I believe)
- Captain Bart Gray (retired)
- Angie Gray
- Son-in-law to Gary Penrod (sorry, don’t know his name)
We will update this list as we get more names.
Examiner: SBCo. Sheriff POST scandal to be discussed by District Attorney
Editor: Please click on link below so I get paid!
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos issued a media advisory today regarding the POST scandal involving up to 27 members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He has called a press conference for March 8 at 11:30 a.m. Employees have been accused of falsifying training records so to receive additional compensation.
The scandal was first discovered as early as 2009 and was reported on a local political blog, iePolitics.com. Sheriff’s officials continued to deny the extent of the criminal activity among its members as recently as the June 2010 primary when Sheriff Rod Hoops was running for election to his first full term. He had been appointed the previous year by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to replace Sheriff Gary Penrod, who retired before his term expired.
SBSun: DA Ramos to discuss Sheriff’s Department scandal
Posted: 03/07/2011 05:11:00 PM PST
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to announce developments in a scandal at the Sheriff’s Department regarding an ongoing Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) investigation.
iePolitics: A couple of comments on the POST scandal
When I switched hosts a little over a year ago, I lost all of my posts from the old blogs. It was not until this morning when I was talking to my main source on the POST scandal that I realized how long this has been going on.
We know the POST scandal was discovered in June 2009 or earlier. It was first reported on iePolitics in September 2009. That’s right—18 months ago.
iePolitics: POST scuttlebutt
Rumors are flying in every direction about the POST scandal. Even my best sources are being inundated with opposing rumors. Some seem to be being put out there intentionally to see who within the department is leaking them.
So far this morning I have heard that the arrests are taking place today, that the arrests are taking place tomorrow, that the arrests are taking place after the 26th, and that there will be no arrests at all.
iePolitics: Time for BOS to call for Hoops’ resignation
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors appointed Rod Hoops to the position of Sheriff despite our warnings and the warnings of others that he had many skeletons in his closet. And now that a very large skeleton is becoming public despite all of their attempts to keep it hidden, it is time for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to reverse its action and remove Hoops if he does not resign on his own.
iePolitics: What do Taco Bell and SEBA have in common? – Revised
You can’t find beef at either place. Sorry. That came via text from a good friend.
We hear that SEBA president Bill “Beef” Abernathie is adamantly denying everything in my original story as “bullshit.” This is where we are at.
iePolitics: Compare and Contrast the Sheriff and Assessor
Bill Postmus—Elected Official
Gary Penrod and Rod Hoops—Elected Officials
Bill Postmus—Accused of conspiracy in allowing employees to receive pay they were not eligible for.
Gary Penrod and Rod Hoops—Conspired to cover up 27 employees who received pay for which they were not entitled as well as having committed a minimum of 27 misdemeanors and/or felonies.
iePolitics: POST scandal update
As always, I will believe this when I see it but here is the latest scoop:
The indictments are expected to be announce March 7, 2011. It is necessary to wait until that time to allow for the retirement or transfer of those involved. I understand some transfers were announced Friday with more to come. All individuals being indicted have been notified.
No one will be charged with felonies. All charges will be misdemeanors. Remember some of the thefts are in the tens of thousands of dollars. Must be nice to have connections.
Examiner.com: Officials expected to be named in indictments involving P.O.S.T. scandal
The ethically-challenged San Bernardino County is expected to receive yet another black eye within a week or so. Sheriff’s Department officials are accused of falsifying training records that were submitted to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), resulting in tens of thousands of dollars being paid to each recipient that was not earned.
P.O.S.T. was created to set minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. Certificates include basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, management, and executive. Specialized certificates can also be awarded. Each new level brings with it a raise in hourly pay.
To read the rest of the article, click here.
iePolitics: POST Names
Needless to say, the POST scandal is generating a lot of interest. The most common question I’m getting is “Who’s on the list?” Although I have heard quite a few names, other than Gary Penrod and Lee Watkins, I can’t remember any. We shall see if either are involved.
iePolitics: 27 indictments issued
iePolitics has learned that 27 sealed indictments were issued last Friday in the POST scandal. Unconfirmed, but previously reliable, sources say that the indictments came from two grand juries. We are not clear why two grand juries would be used. Perhaps a reader to clarify that procedure for us. Continue reading
iePolitics: POST again
We have yet another source who has named some of the individuals who are expected to be indicted in the POST scandal. I am not going to name the captains, lieutenants, or sergeants, but I am going to name the big name that we are hearing.
iePolitics: Another questionable promotion
A female was promoted to lieutenant approximately six months ago and assigned to the jail. This same female did the majority of her patrol time as a school resource officer assigned to Rancho Cucamonga.
When it came to being promoted to a detective, all of the sergeants at the time voted to give her a normal evaluation and not the evaluation for promotion. Her immediate supervisors felt that she was not ready for promotion but when her evaluation went downtown the captain received a call from the chief who advised him that they were sending her evaluation back so that the captain could change it to a promotional evaluation “Because someone down here wants her promoted.”
Well she was promoted to detective and spent her time again in CAC. Then she promoted to sergeant and now is a lieutenant.
She is assigned to West Valley Detention Center and is the lieutenant in charge of transportation, although she has never spent one day driving a transportation bus or van in her career.
iePolitics: How to get a promotion and stay out of trouble
We have been writing a lot of bad cop stories so we thought we would give those who don’t like to follow the rules a heads up as to how to stay out of trouble. First, if you are smart, you will befriend Deputy Chief Paul Cook.
DC is a big Denver Broncos fan. Keep that in the back of your mind. At Christmas be sure to give him some Denver Broncos memorabilia—the more expensive, the better. That should earn you a promotion to sergeant no matter how much you screw up.
iePolitics: Update on POST Scandal – Indictments
iePolitics has received information that the Grand Jury had subpoenas regarding the POST scandal served on 22 individuals and that 15 have or are about to be indicted. We also understand there will be numerous terminations. This confirms information we posted last month; however, we are still not clear if a special criminal Grand Jury has been empaneled. Otherwise, we are assuming that charges will be filed rather than indictments issued. If anyone has additional information, please contact us at iepolitics2010@gmail.com.
iePolitics: 72 days on the beach
This question is for all general county employees. If you screwed up on the job enough times that your total days of suspension equaled 72, would you still expect to be employed? Ok, stop laughing. Because if you were a deputy for the Sheriff’s Department, you would know it is quite possible. For example, you could be a narcotics officer assigned to a case only to have your crew come to your home to help you build your barn instead. Or . . ..
Sergeant John Emmons has served a grand total of 72 hours at the beach. I supposed it helps that he is good friends with two of the Sheriff’s Department’s most revered employees—Deputy Chief Stewart and Captain Tangway.
iePolitics: Can you resend the emails?
I’ve lost two emails on Sheriff’s Department misdeeds. Can you please resend them?
The first is on the deputy, out of Victorville I believe, who beat the crap out of a relative of a CHP officer. There is more to the story but I can’t remember it. I believe it happened in the Cajon Pass and I believe this deputy was allowed to stay on patrol.
The second is the deputy who was caught with sticky fingers. Unlike Captain Gray, he was charged with a felony. Only difference is this deputy stole only hundreds of dollars, not thousands. I believe he was fired but I’m not sure.
iePolitics: So that’s how it works in the Sheriff’s Department
There was a female deputy assigned to Rancho. After getting off of probation she went to patrol for a short period of time and, when they figured out that she did not know what she was doing, but she was cute, they assigned her to be a School Resource Officer.
After a few years they noticed that she still “cute” so they thought they should get her out of a patrol station because she really does not know what she is doing and send her to the academy as a training officer. You know to be a training officer you must look good in your uniform etc.
iePolitics: Sheriff Hoops steps in
Seems like San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops took matters into his own hands regarding the Narc in Palm Springs who beat up his tweaker girlfriend. Hoops made a few calls the rumors are and last week the Riverside District Attorney’s Office refused to file charges on the narcotics officer. The reason that was given: mutual combat. So, instead of dropping charges against the dick, why weren’t charges filed against both? How amazing!
Whited: Sergeant Gina Perez: One hot mess after another…
We all know some Sergeant’s were never meant to be a sergeant; however those will probably never promote either. How does one like Gina Perez get to a job like this? 4 years as a “street cop” deputy working Victorville, then sent to the academy teaching “boots” how to “do their job” then thrust into Homicide where she told me it was, “all about my paper,” and now a screwball of a Sergeant conducting “Admins” without knowing what she is doing…least we mention all the policy, POBR, law enforcement code of ethics- violations she has done over the past 14 months.
Gina Perez you are incompetent, you have no integrity, no honor, and I have seen better leadership at a Boy Scout meeting. The county is losing money keeping her in this position.