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. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Christian West, left, the former CEO and Founder of the security company AS Solution is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. West pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. "If you made a campaign donation and if Captain Jensen knew you to be a VIP, then you got special treatment and you got a CCW license," Rosen said. She needs to leave and take the stench shes created with her. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office West Valley Division. "It's been something of an open secret within the firearms community," Long said. As a lieutenant, Le was the first female president of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Peace Officers Association, and steered the union's endorsement to Sheriff Laurie Smith this past election. 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 . A San Jose native, he graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in history and from the University of Maryland with a MA degree in journalism. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. There may have been policies or procedures broken with regard to that project, but there must be more to the story," said Retired Undersheriff and Chief of Correction, John Hirokawa who in the past oversaw the jails. Amy Le, who led the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association (CPOA) and went to bat for Sheriff Laurie Smith in her last election, was served a letter charging her with wrongdoing, stripped of her badge and escorted off the job Friday. She has been working for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers since 2015. Rosen said the office has been cleared of any conflict by the state Office of the Attorney General, which will represent the DAs office in the motion hearing. Comment Policy (updated 11/1/2021): We reserve the right to delete comments or ban users who engage in personal attacks, hate speech, excess profanity or make verifiably false statements. This DAs office has successfully prosecuted elected officials, correctional officers, sheriffs deputies, police officers, attorneys, business owners and other prominent residents, Rosen said in a statement to this news organization Monday. 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. Kristi Myllenbeck covers all things Cupertino, from crime and breaking news to education and development. Source: https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriffs Offices Detective Division. In Santa Clara County, there's only room for one sheriff in town. There is only ONE job in the United States that has the job description of defending the US Constitution and protecting We the People. He also notedhes implemented community advisory groups in every command position hes held. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), 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 arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. Donors accounted for fewer than 4% of all CCW applicants over that time period, but constituted about 35% of those awarded permits, according to the records. Instead, it will be tossed in a filing cabinet and forgotten. 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. Before that, he was chief of police in Menlo Park for five years. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. He was promoted to captain and was assigned to Stanford University before requesting to come back to Saratoga and serve as the division commander. 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. Known for. 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. Hes worked in every area of sheriffs office jurisdiction. 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. August 10, 2016 at 12:02 p.m. 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. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Attorney Harpaul Nahal, left, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Nahal was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. Nagayes major endorsement is from the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and she says she has strong support among deputies and residents. We are a bit troubled by the words overwhelmingly and unanimously (and others) when it comes to any voting. Earlier this year, the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit analyzed five years' worth of data and found that donors to Smith's political campaigns were about 14 times more likely to get a concealed weapons permit than those who did not contribute. Your email address will not be published. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. I think its a trend that were seeing, property crimes increasing, now that were going back to work, Valenzuela said. A veteran staff trainer, Allen wants to change how officers apply use of force, saying there need to be more alternatives for de-escalating situations and preventing harm to inmates. Your email address will not be published. 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 associations members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen gave to Schumb -- the PSA's assistant treasurer -- represented more than half of the funds raised by the organization prior to the election that year. Ive worked at other places with the Sheriffs Office here and there but I just like the community here, and I like the fact theres more community outreach that we do on this side, Valenzuela said. To address the offices transparency, Nagaye said she would provide the Board of Supervisors and Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring with all materials that have been requested. Flood Advisory issued for Santa Clara Co. . In 2017, another captain had used inmate labor to build arbors and a storage shed. An experienced set of fresh eyes is going to help pave the way toward putting an appropriate spotlight on transparency, and building trust within the community, Elder said. I feel the right person for the job is not the smoothest talking person that sounded good. | All donations are tax-deductible. Saying yes, but doing NO. The morale will get better, then the whole department, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. His command experience includes serving as the assistant director of the protective services department at Valley Medical Center, the assistant division commander of the investigations division and the division commander of the court security division. We are not done.". Hope Now we get a real sherriff elected. Sheriff Bob Jonsen has been in law enforcement since 1986. The 16-page indictment, which you can read here , lays out each defendant's alleged role in the scheme to secure a massive campaign contribution for Smith in exchange for concealed gun permits. / CBS San Francisco. San Jos Spotlight was unable to find record of Colton serving in law enforcement. I am the only candidate who has addressed these issues for 30 years, Allen said. After submitting seven concealed weapon permit applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated $45,000 -- half of the agreed amount -- to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. Instead, the application would be filed away and forgotten. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Capt. The complete transcript of the grand jury's findings will be released in the coming weeks. SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that four people -- including a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain -- have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges in a scheme tied to Sheriff Laurie Smith's reelection campaign. We believe that working with the community, together we achieve great things and Im hoping to carry on that tradition and continue to provide the city of Cupertino with the best law enforcement services that we can.. Our jail is among the 100 systems nationwide with an inmate population of more than 1,000. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. "And it's very clear that that's not the case under Sheriff Smith and her office. For a look at more stories and videos by the ABC7 News I-Team go here. You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. My intent is to change not only whats happening at the top of the organization, but some of whos at the top of the organization, Allen told San Jos Spotlight. A gun parts manufacturer and two South Bay lawyers were the other three individuals named in the indictment. DA Jeff Rosen alleged conspirators solicited $90,000 in campaign contributions for Sheriff Laurie Smiths political campaign in exchange for 10-12 concealed carry gun permits MORE @nbcbayarea. Thankfully, SJS usually gives the names of those who voted against a proposal. The citys residential burglary rate is up 34%. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. However, if you are in the words of sheriff's Captain James Jenson a VIP, then he will meet you at Starbucks, personally review your application and help you fill it out. 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 conspiracy . If they dont get this then they are oblivious and are incapable of doing a good job if elected. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office West Valley Division. The other three members of her command staff including former Mountain View . (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). FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith walks to a news conference in Cupertino, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. Rosen reiterated Monday that his offices investigation is still active, but declined to comment on whether prosecutors are any closer to implicating the sheriff. 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. Law Enforcement. BY EMILY MIBACH. "I think people should be treated fairly and equally under this system," Long said. And were here to provide it. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. All of these people do not feel safe, and they feel threatened, Nagaye told San Jos Spotlight. Love to know the next forum is. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Michael Nichols, right, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Nichols was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. 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. But now people are returning back to work, returning to normal life and going on vacations, so folks are starting to take advantage of that.. 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. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. My unique experience speaks for myself. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. 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. I just want to do it within reason, getting mental health help we need on the front end, and also providing for those people who have to be in the jails.. 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. The DA's Office said it is continuing to investigate additional crimes and individuals in relation to the issuing of CCW licenses. Then I suggest you educate other voters so more people are aware. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. The remaining four defendants, who were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges, put off entering pleas until Sept. 21. ", #Breaking Four people including SantaClara Co Sheriffs Captain indicted in concealed carry pay to play scheme MORE @nbcbayarea. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. The recently released autopsy report of Thomas Phan, a 40-year-old homeless man shot and killed by deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on Nov. 16, provided new details . 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. Shes concerned about declining morale in the office,notingstaffing levels are lowwhich means many employees work mandatory overtime, separating them from their families. Urena was promoted to the position Aug. 1. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); San Jos residents deserve a trusted source for unbiased, independent political news. 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. The investigation is active and ongoing," said Rosen. Sheriffs Capt. SAN JOSE The former CEO of an executive security firm charged in an alleged scheme to trade political donations for concealed-gun permits from the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office abruptly pleaded guilty in the case Monday, in what prosecutors called a significant development for a corruption probe that could threaten Sheriff Laurie Smiths two-decade tenure. Jensen said hes concerned about the large number of mentally ill inmates in the jail system, butbelieves those with violent offenses need to be incarcerated. The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. Capt. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. All rights reserved, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Campaign Scandal Widens, Donors to Sheriff's Political Campaigns Far More Likely to Get Concealed Gun Permits, Los Gatos Mom Accused of Hosting Alcohol-Fueled Teen Parties Attacked in Jail, Hospitalized, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, Another Bay Area Storm This Weekend: Rain and Snow Forecast. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. The following month, Nielsen and AS Solution, Inc. CEO Christian West met with Nichols, Hahal, and attorney Christopher Scumb at the Sainte Claire Club in San Jose, where Schumb described his fundraising work for Sheriff Smith and told Nielsen to seek out then Sheriff's Lieutenant James Jensen at the Best in the West SWAT competition. public and her constituents and say what's going on. Im the candidate that brings the fresh perspective and greatest opportunity for change.. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. 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. 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Office Hours. They should not be for sale.". Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. How safe is your neighborhood? "I know they used a lot of that money on social media, slamming me," he said. How safe is your neighborhood? 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. Nagaye opposes the creation of a new jail, although she does support the creation of a new mental health facility to better meet the needs of mentally ill inmates. Rosen said his office's probe was triggered by a San Jose Inside article focusing on a large 2018 contribution to Smith's campaign. In addition Robert Johnson has done his best to avoid transparency. She is now on paid . "But then when it came time to renew, I was not allowed to renew and those reasons were never explained to me phone calls were not returned," explained Moore. All Rights Reserved. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. 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. I would love to serve in that role.. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. If elected, Jensen said he will focus on addressing staffing and morale decline in the sheriffs office, including the correctional facilities. 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.

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