We are hearing that Sheriff Hoops has put all captains, even recently promoted captains, at top step to make up for 7 percent loss in retirement contributions. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe, if true, this can be done without approval of the director of Human Resources and/or County Executive Officer.
And you get criminally charged and lose your job. But you don’t follow-up on a case where the perp has been identified as a Mexican Mafia hit man, and the perp comes back two weeks later and murders someone, and nothing happens to you. Here is the case. Here is one of Daily Press stories.
Jorge Adrian Gonzalez was caught on video tape in an armed robbery early last year. He was ID’d before detectives arrived. It was determined he was a hit man for the Mexican Mafia. It was also determined he returned to the Los Angeles area.
I was leaving my house earlier today, and as I was locking up my gate, the truck and trailer belonging to the two gangbanger types that cut the lock off my fence and tried to clean me out drove by the house. The truck and trailer are very distinctive so I recognize them each time I see them. One of these days I will be in the right spot at the right time with camera in hand to snap a photo and post it to the blog.
Please excuse my spelling (or misspelling) on these names, but we are hearing that around March of next year Bill Abernaathy (not the SEBA guy, but the other one) will be retiring. McMahon (McMann or something) will become Undersheriff and Ronnie Cochran will become Assistant Sheriff. The idea is to put McMahon in place to become the next new Sheriff and Cochran Undersheriff. A 50+ year tradition will continue unless the voters get in the way.
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.
And it was even by one of those Apple Valley deputies!!!
I was sitting here trying to get the two Examiner.com articles written. I have no idea why three units showed up as I had been sitting here a while and didn’t see anything happen. Maybe they all wanted yogurt. Anyway, needless to say, having three units parked behind my truck got my attention. Only one walked by and he waived. I supposed we could say progress has been made or we could say he had no clue. Either way, it’s better than being pulled over out in the middle of nowhere.
Yep! Once again. This time it was at 1:21 a.m. on a back country road minding my own business. And since he referred to me as “Sharon,” I’m guessing he knew exactly who I was. I will say he was very polite, but the county deputies usually are. It’s the ass holes from Apple Valley that I seem to have a problem with.
For those who did not notice the county’s proposal for a new contract with SEBA, here are the county’s proposals:
This correspondence shall serve as the County’s written request to commence negotiations and the following shall constitute the County’s written proposals:
1. Benefit Plan: Eliminate Benefit Plan contributions and replace with Medical Premium Subsidy. Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.
2. Other benefit provisions such as Dependant Care Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Merit Advancements, Reemployment, Retirement Medical Trust, etc: Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.
Editor’s Note: The story below, but especially the suicide letter, is compelling. It says a lot about both where this state is headed with gun control measures and our Sheriff’s Department and the arrogant and hostile attitude towards citizens who exercise their constitutional rights. I’ve seen the attitude too often displayed by some of our county’s “finest” and can say I have personally experience quite a few times myself. Yes, I am going so far as to say these cops contributed to his death.
Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2011 7:59 am
By Glenn Barr, Reporter | 3 comments
Felony weapons charges against a Running Springs man were dismissed on Sept. 20 in a San Bernardino Superior courtroom after the deputy district attorney prosecuting him informed the judge the defendant had committed suicide.
Randall Jay Rusciolelli, 47, sent a typewritten letter announcing his intentions to The Mountain News shortly before shooting himself in the head on Sept. 19. The letter said he intended to kill himself while seated “under my favorite tree.”
iePolitics has been told that the deputy involved in the SWAT standoff a couple of weeks ago has returned to work at CDC? Can anyone confirm?
Will this deputy be put back on active duty before the criminal case is dispo’d like what has happened with one of the POST defendants?
County deputy held after alleged domestic dispute in Beaumont
SAN BERNARDINO – A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was being held Sunday after an alleged domestic dispute in Beaumont, authorities said.
“One of our deputies, assigned to the jail, was involved in a domestic issue in Beaumont,” Sheriff Rod Hoops said.
“Beaumont got a warrant on him. He then went to San Bernardino, where he surrendered to San Bernardino police.”
It seems our readers were right. The Lieutenant who did the crappy I/A in the Emmons tasing incident has been promoted to Captain. Now is anyone really surprised. Job well done Lt. Torres. Hope you enjoy your reward. The taxpayers get to enjoy it until you expire in your old age. As I said, it is the gift that keeps on giving.
This morning San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge John Martin raised bail on Nathan Gastineau due to his postings on Facebook. He is quoted as writing:
The facts are that my reputation has been destroyed, my job has been nuked, and my best friend is in jail. . . . A philosopher once said ‘When faced with untenable alternatives you should consider your imperative.’
War is our imperative. And if right now victory seems like an impossibility, then we have something else to reach for: revenge, payback. So we will fight. Because in the end it’s the only alternative my enemy has left us. I say let’s make them understand that as long as I still have a breath in me, that this war, that they started, will not be over. Thank you everyone for the support.
Somehow this is not surprising. Not long after his arrest I noticed comments both on this blog and on Jim’s blog that were from Gastineau or one of his supporters attempting to out, intimidate, and disparage the Explorer. I think I deleted all of them here. I’m not sure what Jim did. This is typical behavior for a predator and it appears to me that Gastineau is a typical pedophile. We shall see.
Apparently we ruffled a feather or two when we posted the letter about the tasing incident with Sergeant Emmons. It seems the victim has made Group 1 on the promotion list and doesn’t want it found out that he lied to cover for Emmons. He claims the issue has been investigated by Internal Affairs twice. The problem is that those investigations did not include interviewing the witnesses who would tell a very different story.
So folks, you’ve heard it from a future SBSD supervisor. STOP sending SBSD corruption tips. It makes ‘em look like the liars they are.
Editor’s Note: Please read and leave comments on the story. Naomi will thank you.
SAN BERNARDINO – In Bell-esque fashion, it was learned today that a significant number of San Bernardino County’s top cops receive over $200,000 a year in retirement benefits. The highest paid retiree in San Bernardino County is a former undersheriff who grosses over $24,000 per month in benefits for an annual retirement benefit of $290,901.96.
The third highest earner is former assistant sheriff Mike Stodelle, who receives $254,640.36 per year. He was recently indicted as part of the scandal involving San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department employees who falsified POST training records to obtain higher levels of pay. He is currently charged with perjury and grand theft after the San Bernardino County Grand Jury indicted him and six others in the scheme. Up to 63 additional employees are being handled administratively rather than criminally. It is unknown how many of them are receiving retirement benefits.
This showed up this morning:
Date & time:7/07 2:02 AM
IP address:194.60.38.198
Country: United Kingdom
Organisation:Houses Of Parliament
And what were they reading? Stories about the SBSD!
Some of you suggested I owed Beef an apology when we suggested he was not exactly being above board during the POST scandal, etc. Hmm . . . so can you still say that Beef did not lie to all of you? That he did what was best for SEBA members? Or perhaps he cut a deal to take care of himself and screw all of you. And he just about screwed you all over in a big way. Fortunately, there are 23 members who saw through it.
Now I have a question for all SEBA members. When you originally voted Beef in as SEBA president, did he tell you about his past and how he owed everything to Sheriff’s brass for even having a job? I’m curious if rank-and-file who were not around in 1986 knew what they were voting for.
For those who have not seen it, here is the promotions and transfer list: Promotions and Transfers effective 081311
We just might have to go through these names and discuss the familial relationships and disciplines of the past. It only supports our premise that one can commit any crime and still be promoted in the Sheriff’s Department as long as you are related to the right person and/or are screwing the right person and/or close, personal friends with the right person.
As indicated in a comment below and on the SEBA website, the lawsuit against SEBA was withdrawn and the votes were counted. Fifty-five percent of the deputies eligible to vote cast a ballot. I guess 45 percent don’t care what their paychecks look like it. The measure lost.
Safety management voted to approve the contract concessions. I do not know if they have a “me too” clause or not. Maybe some can let us know.
Here is an email I sent to Cindy Bachman-Beavers eight days ago:
Cindy,I came across this email in my span last night so it is almost two weeks old:In the recent past much negativity has surrounded the SBSD explorer program. This last weekend I had the pleasure of watching several posts from our department compete in the Ex-Con games I’m Las Vegas. What I saw were proud, responsible, polite and encouraging youth. These boys and girls deserve some good press. So please look into the fact that Highland station was 4th overall and Rancho station 1st overall. All of our stations took home at least 1 trophy. Many stations took home multiple trophies. This is a valuable program for our youth and shouldn’t be tainted by the irresponsible actions of a few. So if you could gather your facts and publish a nice news story that would he great. The hardworking and trustworthy advisors and explorers deserve it.However, I would like to do a story. I have lots of sources for the negative stuff but none really for the positive. Can you provide me with some more information or an email address for someone who can? Thank you.Sharon
I finally got internet access myself to try to sort this out. I also cannot find a case in the court system. The SEBA website, which seems to be lacking details on purpose, would suggest that the complaint was file with PERB, which does not explain information sent our way that a “judge ruled.” I can only guess that wires got crossed but I don’t know that for sure.
Between lack of time and lack of internet access I have had to sit back as mostly cops have debated whether the Explorer Scout in the most recent incident is a victim or a little hussy. I now have a minute so I am going to add my two cents.
I told the story a time or two about being called into Deputy Chief Carr’s office over 25 years ago, being handed a tape and told to transcribe it verbatim. He went on to say to keep it quiet because the Sheriff’s Department was going to keep the incident covered up. That, of course, was the incident where William “Beef” Abernathy, James Dawson, Bob Swindle, Ron Wimberly, and a couple of others were accused of having sex with an underage Explorer Scout at the Victorville Station. I believe before all was said and done about six deputies and one civilian were arrested for a variety of sex crimes including rape and unlawful sexual intercourse.
First to the Board of Supervisors: I have sent you several emails asking when you were going to protect the taxpayers from Sheriff Rod Hoops. He has lied to you and to the public over the POST scandal, which is reason enough to remove him from office, but he has also showed he is not capable of managing his department.
How many lawsuits will have to be filed against the taxpayers of the county before you are going to do your jobs? Your responsibility is outlined in the San Bernardino County Charter. When are the five of you going to stop shirking that responsibility and do what you are paid $152,000 a year to do? I think it is time to reduce your pay significantly. Taxpayers should not have to keep footing the bill for your unwillingness to exercise the powers vested in you. You can illegally delegate all you want to Greg Devereaux but the bottom line is what is in the charter. The responsibility is yours and yours alone.
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.
The Sun is reporting that all but about ten yearbooks have been confiscated. The Sheriff’s Department is returning the yearbooks once the picture is removed. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department detective Jeremiah MacKay, “I’m sure we’ll be working with the district attorney to determine if they want to pursue anything on it.” Enough said.
This morning I had a very rude awakening. I heard the dogs barking but was too groggy to care as I had not gotten to bed until after 2 a.m. Then Naomi jumped up and practically threw herself through the glass door trying to get to what was out in my back yard, barking wildly, which is out of character for her. So I got up to see what was going on, expecting to see that my neighbor’s five-pound Shih Tzu had crawled under my fence once again to come bark at me.
Instead in my back yard was a white truck and trailer and two people packing up their truck with my belongings from my back porch. I had literally just jumped out of bed and had on nothing but a nightgown but I opened the door anyway and asked what they were doing. Their response was, “We thought this house was vacant.” My truck was parked on the other side of their truck and my dogs were quite loud.
I have received the documents but was asked not to post them so here is a breakdown of what SEBA-represented employees should expect:
The current MOU expires in March 2012. Negotiations are expected to begin in September 2011. If a successor agreement is not reached, the county is expected to impose their last, best offer.
With the above in mind, the county is making the following offer, which I’m told is being rushed to members to be voted on asap. Here are the details:
There is also a change proposed to county pickup and employee-paid retirement contributions; however, the explanation I have been provided makes no sense whatsoever. Maybe someone else can explain it.
I think I have covered the major proposals.
I have been told that our favorite former union boss, you know the advocate and protector of line staff, William Beef Abernathie, was transferred to Human Resources—you know, a nice 8-to-5 job with a take-home vehicle and weekends off. I am sure it is just a coincidence and not a reward for a job well done but I digress.
Rumor has it that a certain captain’s son wanted out of the jail and a transfer to the Highland station. The problem was that there were lots of more experienced deputies ahead of him. But he got the transfer anyway. Abernathie’s excuse? He misread the hire date. Like I said—a job well done.
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?
This was in a comment by an anonymous reader:
It was just a few years ago that now chief Pete Ortiz, Sgt Chris Allen, and POS Paul Kellner forced the tow companies in Rancho to pay for the privilege to tow from checkpoints. Then Sgt. Dave Johnson was ordered to collect $2500 from whichever company was up next on rotation and if they refused the company was skipped. A tow company out of Ontario told us it was like an old Chicago “shake down”. Several deputies met with a DA investigator to discuss this practice of “Embezzlement” in uniform. The investigator agreed it was an illegal practice and he wanted to discuss it with his boss, Ramos. Several days go by and we are contacted by the DA’s office only to be told that although it was illegal the did not want to appear to be going after the Sherrif’s Dept so soon after another investigation. When word got out, probably from the DA, an emergency traffic meeting was held. The entire division was yelled at and threatened by these three supervisors if the money collecting was ever mentioned again. Dave Johnson was opposed to this practice, knew it was illegal and directly ordered to collect by Kellner.
Again, they all got away with it because Ramos did not want to rock the boat. The good ole boys protecting the good ole boys, sound familiar?
I do not remember anything about this at all. Can anyone confirm or deny or add to the story?
Regarding the detective that went to Palm Springs with his county unit and got into the fight with the girlfriend. Then was off duty with his county unit and got drunk and crashed and totaled his county unit. He got days off and kept his stripes and transferred to the jail. I guess he will take catalano’s place. Keep in mind two violations, county car to Palm Springs and fight with the meth head then while that internal affairs investigation is going on he crashes and totals out his county while he is drunk. What a deal.
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.
I just heard that Joe Catalano is being transferred back to the street. Guess he’s no longer a liability to the Sheriff’s Dept. under the Brown Act, huh?
Wouldn’t anyone else have been fired for what he did?
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?
I registered with VINE to be notified with the Colonies Four were released. My contact notified me of their release about 6:30. I just received the VINE notification. I’m glad this wasn’t a safety issue or I would be dead.
This post is NOT for anyone under 18. The photo is on the next page. I ask again, Does iePolitics discredit the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department or is it, just perhaps, some employees of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department who discredit it?
We really can’ make this stuff up.
I have not updated some of our stories for a while. Perhaps our readers can add to the updates.
I’m sure I have more so if there are any stories you want status on, remind me with a comment.
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.
Does anyone know the names of those Sheriff’s officials who married their Explorer Scouts?
Sharon, Gastineau is a different case than Duran. they did a pre text call on Gastineau and he admitted to being with the explorer scout on the recording. When they did a pre text call on Duran from Yucaipa he knew they were recording and denied it on the recording so now its his word against hers. Duran is still TDY to CDC jail awaiting the DA’s decision.
Ok here are all the deputies i know who have been with explorer scouts i’ll try and put them in chronilogical order. Beef of course, Jimmy West from Highland a female explorer was giving him a BJ in the unit and he swerved and hit a tree. he said a dog ran out in front of him to make him swerve lol. Freddy Johnson from Central station was caught with a female scout he was fired. Jessie Duran from Yucaipa still pending, CAC has done a criminal report on him. Now Nathan Gastineau.
Hmm . . .
I would sure like to be sure that he knows this crap keeps going on in the Sheriff’s Department and they do not do what is necessary to prevent it. My understanding is that there are several high-ranking (maybe retired) sheriff’s officials who married their Explorers.
By Elizabeth Chambers
VICTORVILLE — Three more San Bernardino County deputies from the Victorville sheriff’s station have been suspended as part of the department’s internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, and a second rape investigation may be underway.
The latest suspensions, ordered Friday by Sheriff Floyd Tidwell, brought to eight the number of officers relieved of their duties since an 18-year-old Explorer Scout told authorities she was raped by one deputy and had had sexual relations with others.
I have been told that the Sheriff’s Department has sent out a memo that the Academy will be shut down for the month of June as a cost-savings measure. However, there is a rumor flying around that it is actually POST that is shutting down the Academy. Apparently, this would not be the first time POST has done such a thing.
Here is an anonymous rumor maybe someone can shed some light on:
Check out Deputy __________ from Yucaipa station. The department has transferred him to a jail tdy pending an admin and the criminal charge is sex with a 16 year old female explorer scout from Yucaipa station. Also Detective ____________ from Homicide was transferred last month to ASU after he was caught lying on the stand during a murder case. The DA is conducting a perjury case against him and he was recently put on admin leave
Also, can anyone tell me for sure what city Rick Roelle lives in?
Is it my imagination or are police chiefs in San Bernardino County dropping like flies? We have already heard about interest by current SB County Sheriff’s Department official(s) in one of those top spots. And we are hearing that the POST scandal investigations are being done in such a way so that the brass involved can retire with a clean jacket and pick up employment elsewhere. Perhaps one of our experts can tell us if sheriff’s department experience qualifies one to be a chief of police. It shall be interesting to see if any of the protected few gets picked up in another top spot.
I knew there was a lot more I had to say than I could remember yesterday. So here are my thoughts on two more items of recent discussion.
Cops and Education:
Actually this could be labeled “janitors and education” or “nuclear scientists and education” or anything in between. It is my belief that in ANY government profession whatsoever, ANY person reaching the level of supervisor or higher should have to meet a minimum education requirement ranging from an Associates Degree to a Ph.D, depending on the line of work. For example, the person who supervises custodians, or grounds crews, or electricians, or whatever may not need a degree in that line of work but should be required to have at least some coursework in supervision, budgeting, personnel management, etc. Such a requirement would save the county a lot of grief. And the higher one goes, the more education that should be required.
It is outrageous that we have directors and deputy directors of county departments, sometimes responsible for tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money that may not even have a high school diploma. TAD is infamous for such promotions and the Sheriff’s Department is too (although I believe a GED is required to be a cop.)
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, March 14, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County should prosecute misconduct in the Sheriff’s Department as sternly as corruption in the assessor’s office or other arms of county government. A county with a history of high-level official scandal cannot afford to treat alleged theft from taxpayers as a minor bending of the rules.
A special county grand jury last week indicted seven current and former sheriff’s employees on felony charges of perjury, grand theft and conspiracy. The seven are accused of falsifying records, starting in 2006, to get credit for training they had not received, in order to gain higher pay and retirement benefits. Prosecutors did not know exactly how much public money was involved, but said those indicted had boosted their compensation by amounts ranging from $2,000 to $100,000 apiece.
Editor: I’m retyping the article from February 20, 1986. I had to print it off of microfilm and it’s too dark to scan. This is the first in the series. We will print them in the order they were reported as the story unfolded. I expect to run a story every third day or as time permits.
4 other deputies suspended at valley station
By Elizabeth Chambers
Daily Press Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO — Five Victorville sheriff’s deputies have been suspended as sheriff’s officials investigate allegations that an 18-year-old woman was raped by one of them and the others had sex with her before she turned 18, the Daily Press has learned.
On Wednesday, the department’s Professional Standards Committee — which replaced the old Internal Affairs Division — conducted day-long interviews of deputies and witnesses, according to Capt. Phil Schuyler, head of the department’s public affairs division.
Today’s Press Enterprise articles on the POST scandal report two very interesting rulings. First, Judge Brian McCarville ruled that the media could be present and take photographs. Specifically, he said that the defendants are public figures with limited expectations of privacy. Strike one against cops who think they can hide behind their badges and POBR and every other obsticle they throw up to keep their crimes out of the public view.
Three current and former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department employees pleaded not guilty Friday in Superior Court to felony charges tied to a scandal involving the falsification of training documents for increased pay and retirement benefits.
Sheriff’s custody specialist Angela Gray, 42, retired Lt. Bill Maddox, 57, and training specialist Sallyann Christian, 45, entered their not guilty pleas before San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Brian McCarville.
