santa clara county sheriff captain

I havent been provided any evidence at this point, but broadly speaking I believe that all of the folks involved were legally able to obtain the permits. Saratoga installed an Automatic License Plate Reader system at several intersections last spring to track cars coming in and out of the city and deter crime. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Santa Clara County is getting a new sheriff for the first time in more than two decades, following Laurie Smiths decision to not run for a seventh term. He replaces Capt. In addition to bribery, the indictment charges Jensen with conspiring with AS Solution employees to put false information in their CCW license applications. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. My unique experience speaks for myself. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. As the new captain assigned to the West Valley patrol division, Im committed to the legacy weve built here in the city of Cupertino, he said. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. Besides sketching out the donation-for-permits plan, he surreptitiously recorded a conversation with Jensen using a DA-provided phone app, at a meeting just days before the corruption probe became public knowledge when search warrants were served at the sheriffs office. Ex-CEO of security firm pleads guilty in Santa, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, Ex-CEO of security firm pleads guilty in Santa Clara County gun-permit bribery case, Sheriff and undersheriff plead the Fifth, supervisor blames bad memory in Santa Clara County gun-permit probe, Ex-CEO of security firm charged in Santa Clara County sheriff concealed-gun permit bribery case, Four indicted in Santa Clara County Sheriff concealed gun permit scandal, Big donor to Santa Clara County sheriffs campaign was issued rare concealed gun permit. He is my choice. He is unlikely to be any better than the current Sherriff. Number of employees at Santa Clara County with job title Sheriff's Correctional Captain is 35. My resolutions are not something Im just sayingits something Ive been doing my entire career.. Political action committees for the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Jensens campaign when he ran against Smith in 2014. For the average member of the public, no matter how pressing or justified their need, if they follow the procedure laid out on the sheriff's website and mail in an application, it will will not be reviewed. Shes concerned about declining morale in the office,notingstaffing levels are lowwhich means many employees work mandatory overtime, separating them from their families. By comparison, Sacramento County has more than 5,000 active permits. In response to a list of questions, Colton referred San Jos Spotlight to aquestionnaireshe filled out for a recent sheriff candidate forum. You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law. Rosen said his office's probe was triggered by a San Jose Inside article focusing on a large 2018 contribution to Smith's campaign. Laurie Smith (born June 21, 1952) was the 28th Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, serving from 1998 until her early retirement in 2022 when under indictment for corruption. The I-Team also reached out to Reggie Cooks, a public affairs officer for the sheriff's department, and he has not responded at the time this story was reported. James Jensen, attorney Christopher Schumb, attorney Harpaul Nahal and business owner Michael Nichols allegedly conspired with the CEO and a middle manager of an international security company to offer a $90,000 bribe in exchange for concealed weapons permits, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. Per a plea agreement, his charges will be downgraded to misdemeanors and a maximum 18-month jail sentence in exchange for his cooperation with the district attorney. A former manager for a security company who implicated a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and others in an alleged bribery scheme to trade political donations supporting the sheriff in exchange for concealed-carry weapons has testified in the civil corruption trial . Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. In 2017, she received $449,767.49 with overtime and benefits, on a $142,530.12 base salary. For a look at more stories and videos by the ABC7 News I-Team go here. Sheriff Smith herself was not among those indicted Friday, but Rosen said his office's investigation is wide ranging and far from over. Capt. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. After Smith won that race, she promoted Le to captain. hoped you would put name in hat .Thanks for running !! Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. Sources close to the case tell the ABC7 News I-Team that the removal stems from an unpermitted arbor and barbecue grill Amy Le built at the jail with her own money, but using inmate labor. Sheriff Bob Jonsen has been in law enforcement since 1986. If the Sheriff lacks a full understanding of the Constitution it would stand to reason that he is vulnerable to violation of his oath. All Rights Reserved. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. Sources close to the case tell the I-Team's Dan Noyes the removal stems from an unpermitted arbor and barbecue grill Le built at the jail with her own money, but using inmate labor. Both Smith and Undersheriff Rick Sung invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination when they appeared before a criminal grand jury Aug. 3, and refused to answer any questions about the scandal, according to transcripts of the proceedings. So I can ask them about the SJ Search and Rescue team and how we can support the new sherriff. ", #Breaking Four people including SantaClara Co Sheriffs Captain indicted in concealed carry pay to play scheme MORE @nbcbayarea. Santa Clara County Salaries - Sheriff's Correctional Captain Highest salary at Santa Clara County in year 2021 was $472,633. Last . In Santa Clara County, there's only room for one sheriff in town. The public information officers sergeants Richard Glennon, Reginald Cooks and Michael Low also testified that Jensen was still heavily involved in shepherding the CCW application process despite being promoted out of the PIO office, in a rapid ascendance from sergeant to lieutenant and then captain in just a few years. I think its a trend that were seeing, property crimes increasing, now that were going back to work, Valenzuela said. End of an era: San Jose antique shops could disappear, Robes, candles and chants: South Bay official in hot water over religious ceremony, Proposed tax law threatens billions in San Jose funding. The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. The remaining four defendants, who were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges, put off entering pleas until Sept. 21. Sheriff Smith has consistently declined to comment on year-and-a-half-long probe. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. The Santa Clara County District Attorney said the defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020. at San Jose's Hall of Justice. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Custody Division is the fifth largest jail system in California, and among the 20 largest systems in the United States. August 10, 2016 at 12:02 p.m. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. He wants to prioritize building morale in the office, which he said has been low for many years, and to rebuild relationships with the San Jose Police Departmenthe claims Smith neglected. Allen also wants to address the homophobia and racial inequitieshe sees in the office. While a captain, he was assigned to oversee various Custody Bureau Divisions, including the Main Jail, Elmwood, Jail Reforms, Support Services, and Administrative Services, as well as the Transportation and Internal Affairs Units. A sheriff's captain was among four people indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges as part of an election campaign scandal tied to Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, the District Attorney's Office said Friday. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. When I got my prints taken here, it was my third fingerprinting in probably ten months, as all my jobs involve(d) either working with minors or with school districts that serve minors. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'. CBS. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. The Sheriff's Office Parks Patrol Unit provides law enforcement services for the 28 regional parks and lakes managed by the Santa Clara County Parks Department. Our jail is among the 100 systems nationwide with an inmate population of more than 1,000. How the scandal-plagued Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will operate in a post-Laurie Smith era will be determined by the vote of the people in the Nov. 8 election. The side of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office vehicle is pictured in this file photo. Nielsens cooperation with the DA was affirmed in the grand jury transcripts, in which he testified that he understood he was still subject to potential misdemeanor charges even if he helped the prosecution. Suspect arrested in Palo Alto home burglary, Info stolen in Oakland ransomware attack set to be released, In fentanyl overdose case, police uncovered video evidence Martinez man molested multiple girls, feds say, Popular East Bay taco truck at risk of being uprooted from spot it has occupied for 16 years, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, Brawl forces end of NorCal high school basketball playoff game, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Election 2022 candidates for Santa Clara County Sheriff: retired Palo Alto police chief Bob Jonsen (left) and retired sheriff's captain Kevin Jensen. Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen said he wants to apply his experience working in the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to fix some of the long-time issues in Santa Clara Countys office. Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates Kevin Jensen and Bob Jonsen. As police chief in Palo Alto, Jonsen said hes helped the city implement a program that partners behavioral health workers with police officers to respond to psychiatric emergencies. Santa Clara County sheriff faces grand jury accusation, no plea yet, Former opponent challenges embattled Santa Clara County sheriff, UPDATE: Santa Clara County pursues investigation of sheriff, Helen Chapman fights to save San Joses open space, Bejarano: Why I quit my East San Jose school board, Out of work: Beloved San Jose reverend faces uphill climb, Silicon Valley students stranded by shuttered schools, San Jose legislator wants to raise foster age. Allen was firm, fair and integrity was not an issue. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? Permits to carry a concealed weapon can be difficult to obtain in Santa Clara County, as they are in most of the Bay Area. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. Hiscampaign filings do not reflect a total amount raised to date, but the candidate himself says hes raised about $50,000. And were here to provide it. Then I suggest you educate other voters so more people are aware. This all took place in 2018, while Sheriff Laurie Smith, who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses, was in a race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections. He plans to implement greater civilian oversight in the jail systeman outstanding concern among county officials. With all of the county's 754 precincts reporting as of 5 p.m. Wednesday,. But the approval rate skyrockets for the 28 applicants who either gave campaign cash to Sheriff Laurie Smith directly or where a family member or employer donated. "I think as an elected official, she needs to come forward and tell the Allen said in his first 100 days in office he wants to meet with every politician in the county and glean ideas about how to improve his office. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. When asked if Jensen was acting on his own or working with Sheriff Smith, Rosen said that because the investigation was ongoing, it was not appropriate for him to comment on the possible roles of other individuals. "I know a definitive link to Sheriff Smith has not been established based on these indictments, but I'm interested to see how things develop as this investigation continues into the future," said Chris Long, who applied for a CCW permit in 2019, but was denied after months of waiting. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. I haven't been provided any evidence at this point, but broadly speaking I believe that all of the folks involved were legally able to obtain the permits. Thankfully, SJS usually gives the names of those who voted against a proposal. Click hereif you are having trouble viewing the slideshow on a mobile device. Love to know the next forum is. A grand jury has indicted Santa Clara County Undersheriff Rick Sung and added an additional indictment against a captain linked to a concealed weapons permit scandal that has rocked the Sheriff's . Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. This is your newsroom. Sean Allen. Public Safety Alliance ("PSA"), an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. Local News | Sheriffs Capt. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. I would make every attempt and work tirelessly with community leaders to let them know the Sheriffs Office, or law enforcement as a whole, is here for you.. She also served in the offices operational standards and inspections unit and worked at both Elmwood and the main jail. MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain Amy Le got walked off the job at Elmwood Jail this past Friday in tears, her badge and county vehicle taken away. Capt. The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. That was the first step in a conspiracy to "help AS Solution, Inc. manager Martin Nielsen procure hard-to-obtain CCW licenses for his company's executive protection agents," according to the indictment. Stromgren, who oversaw the security firms Facebook protection team, has not been charged, and testified to the grand jury that he was uneasy about the arrangement. about the scheme. After submitting 7 CCW license applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated the first half of that amount to the Santa Clara County. Ricardo "Rich" Urena has been tapped to replace . West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of sheriff offices West Valley division. The transcripts also contain testimony from three former and current sheriffs public information officers outlining a haphazard process with inconsistent criteria on who got the rarely-issued weapons permits. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen handed to the PSA's assistant treasurer, Schumb, represented more than half of the funds raised by the PSA before the election that year. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group). Its a small town community I like interacting with.. In addition to bribery, the indictment accuses Jensen of conspiring with AS Solution employees to put false information in their CCW license applications. A gun parts manufacturer and two South Bay lawyers were the other three individuals named in the indictment. Capt. He also plans to improve the treatment for mentally ill inmatesand overall conditions in the jail system. When it comes to enforcing the law, which is to say enforcing the Constitution for the United States of America, the Sheriff, being the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, answers to We the People The County Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer elected by the People and bound by oath as guardian of the Peoples unalienable rights secured by the Constitution. MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain Amy Le got walked off the job at Elmwood Jail this past Friday in tears, her badge and county vehicle taken away. The investigation found that weeks after the scheme was hatched, the conspirators settled on a $90,000 "donation" in exchange for 10 to 12 CCW licenses. Suspect arrested in Palo Alto home burglary, Info stolen in Oakland ransomware attack set to be released, In fentanyl overdose case, police uncovered video evidence Martinez man molested multiple girls, feds say, Popular East Bay taco truck at risk of being uprooted from spot it has occupied for 16 years, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, Brawl forces end of NorCal high school basketball playoff game, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Jonsen said the county should offer more skill-based programs in the jails for inmates so they can find employment upon release. I think its important to know the men and women who have this difficult job in difficult times are this much behind a candidate, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. He also notedhes implemented community advisory groups in every command position hes held. The exact terms of the deal were hammered out later that month, according to the indictment, when Nielsen and West met with Jensen, Nahal, and Nichols at a San Jose Jamba Juice and agreed upon an exchange of 10-to-12 CCW licenses for a $90,000 donation to Smith's campaign. They could spend time in prison if they are convicted. "We will follow the evidence where it leads. He served various roles for the next three decades, including as an assistant chief in the department of corrections and as jail administration commander. I will always remember my oath to protect and servethat will be my ultimate oath, and thats why Im running for sheriff.. In 2020, Luis was selected as the Acting Captain of the Special Operations Division and officially became fulltime Captain of this same division in September of 2021. SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain James Jensen is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Jensen was. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. Jensen later instructed AS Solutions Inc. to have their executive protection agents falsify the names of their employer on their CCW applications, and for those agents living outside the county, to falsify their addresses as well, according to the indictment. He was promoted to captain and was assigned to Stanford University before requesting to come back to Saratoga and serve as the division commander. "They should not be for sale. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Capt. In a statement, the sheriff's office said Jensen will be placed on administrative leave immediately. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. "However, if you are -- in the words of Sheriff's Captain James Jenson -- a 'VIP,' then he'll meet you at Starbucks, personally review your application and help you fill it out," said Rosen. That is what we are doing here.. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and. The activity took place in 2018 while Sheriff Laurie Smith -- who had the authority to grant the permits -- was in a tough battle race for reelection in both the primary and general elections. Nagayes major endorsement is from the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and she says she has strong support among deputies and residents. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. 38 reviews of Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department "Thankfully, my only experience with the Santa Clara County Sheriffs has been getting fingerprinted at this station in San Jose. The ABC7 News I-Team asked Le to provide a comment but she declined. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. it's safer than driving," said Marin County Fire Captain Matt Watson. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. If theres problems with speeding or people running stop signs, (these events) give them more direct access to us and assist them in a better way.. James Jensen, Christopher Schumb, Harpaul Nahal and Michael Nichols were indicted in the alleged pay-to-play plot, in which they are accused of brokering a deal for the executive security firm AS Solution to receive up to a dozen concealed-carry weapon permits in exchange for $90,000 in campaign donations to committees supporting Smiths 2018 re-election bid. Jonsen said he has experience stabilizing organizations bleeding staff, noting he helped staunch the flow of people leaving the Menlo Park and Palo Alto police departments, in part by raising salaries to a competitive level. Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. From there, he was promoted to lieutenant and came back to Saratoga as the assistant commander of the West Valley Patrol Division. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. Southern California mountain residents head home, for many its the first time in days At a Cupertino City Council meeting on Aug. 2, Ken Binder, former division commander, introduced Urena and described him as an experienced officer, ready for the new role. And were here to provide it. "On August 7, 2020, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office publicly announced that Captain James Jensen has been formally charged with felony bribery, conspiracy and falsifying public documents by a Grand Jury.". Kevin Jensen, a retired captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, is running to replace Laurie Smith. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. | All donations are tax-deductible. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. Jensen advised Nielsen to instruct AS Solution employees who were not residents of Santa Clara County to use local corporate addresses as their residence addresses in their applications. The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. Friday afternoon the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office told ABC7 News that Jensen was officially placed on administrative leave. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Attorney Christopher Schumb, right, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Schumb was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters told San Jos Spotlight Colton is a registered voter in the county, and submitted a signed declaration swearing she meets the requirements of the position. "People have often said the only way to obtain a permit in Santa Clara County is to make a donation to the sheriff's office.". She is now on paid . Woman found fatally shot on I-580 off-ramp Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. There were 44 reported burglaries from January to October of 2021, while 59 burglaries were reported in the same time period in 2022. She resigned as sheriff on . Jonsen, who filed his papers to run in January, has received endorsements from former state Sen.Jim Bell, the Democratic Asian Pacific American Club and the Sunnyvale Democratic Club. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. "And it's very clear that that's not the case under Sheriff Smith and her office. We are not done.". ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In the 20 years that Neil Valenzuela has worked for the Sheriffs Office, he keeps coming back to Saratoga.