Capt. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Three other AS Solution security employees at the time who got permits Leonard Lawrence, Rachael Paskvan and Jonathan Taunton were also described as listing home addresses or non-AS employers on their applications, and have not been charged. I think its a trend that were seeing, property crimes increasing, now that were going back to work, Valenzuela said. 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. As we gather more evidence, we expect to file more charges against more individuals in the coming weeks. Office Hours. She previously worked as a reporter for PhillyVoice in Philadelphia and freelanced for The Seattle Times and The Whiskey Wash. She grew up in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA degree from the University of Oregon where she majored in journalism and minored in political science. To avoid the perception of impropriety, Jensen said he wont take any financial contributions from employees. We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles or any asset of the judgment debtor. The remaining four defendants, who were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges, put off entering pleas until Sept. 21. Provides investigative services for all of the North/West Santa Clara County unincorporated areas and the contract cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills. As a detective he was assigned to the West Valley division, he was also one of our tactical flight observers up in our sheriffs helicopter, a field training officer and recruit training officer at the academy.. He wants to dismantle the system of nepotism that he claims took root in the Sheriffs Office during Smiths tenure. 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. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. NBC Bay Area called or emailed each of the four defendants in the case Friday, but so far, only Jensen's attorney has responded. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. 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. 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. 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.. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations," Rosen said. The county has a similar program, but Jonsen wants to expand it to meet greater demand. Sheriff Bob Jonsen has been in law enforcement since 1986. ALL RIGHT K J!!!!! There are some very strong advocates for changes in the jail system, and Im among them, Jensen said. 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. 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.. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. 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. Santa Clara County Salaries - Sheriff's Correctional Captain Highest salary at Santa Clara County in year 2021 was $472,633. Allen says he stands out from his opponents because hes spent much of his career openly criticizing the office. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Captain James Jensen among 4 people indicted by grand jury yesterday according to DA Jeff Jensen @nbcbayarea. Local News | Civil process includes restraining orders, bench warrants, arrest warrants, evictions and any other notice or order from the courts. 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. The Civil Warrants Division serves Civil process in the manner prescribed by law. 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. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. / CBS San Francisco. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. As of January, shes raised $8,400. 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. Local News | He is my choice. He started his law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1989. 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. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) A retired captain for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is joining the race to become the next sheriff, now the second opponent looking to unseat current. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Essentially, just be out there for the community to ask us questions and get suggestions from the community about where the problems are, he added. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. Sheriff Robert Jonsen Sheriff's Office Facebook Page Sheriff's Office Twitter Feed Sheriff's Office Instagram Feed Contact Us 55 West Younger Avenue San Jose, CA 95110-1721 Phone: (408) 808-4400 Toll Free: (800) 211-2220 Fax: (408) 294-2467 Email: so.website@shf.sccgov.org 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. "I'm feeling very hopeful and optimistic, cautiously. Isnt that what Sheriff Laurie Smith had/has been saying? 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. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. 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. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. She is also facing a civil grand jury accusation for corrupt misconduct and a state attorney general investigation into possible civil rights violations in the county jail. "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.". 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. Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. Jensen has picked up support from the main unions serving jail employees: the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association. Christine Nagaye, Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen and sheriff Sgt. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. County Sheriff's Captain, Prominent Lawyer Charged with Gun Permit Bribery Scheme. Though Wasserman is mentioned in the Aug. 6 indictment of Jensen, Schumb, Nahal and Nichols, he too has not been charged. If elected, Jensen said he will focus on addressing staffing and morale decline in the sheriffs office, including the correctional facilities. Then I suggest you educate other voters so more people are aware. Jonsen said he has experience overseeing crime reduction from his time as a coordinator of the Antelope Valley crime fighting initiative run by the LA Sheriffs Department. Urena will oversee a division that serves the communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills and unincorporated areas of the county, bringing 14 years of experience into the role. (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. He was promoted to captain and was assigned to Stanford University before requesting to come back to Saratoga and serve as the division commander. Emergency: 9-1-1; Emergency and Non-Emergency Number from all phones: (408) 299 - 2311; General Information from cellular phone: (408) 808 - 4400 Local News | Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Capt. Only 62 applicants received a permit, according to the records. Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. "Our concern is not whether the Sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a press release. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. "They should not be for sale. 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. West Valley Detectives. Instead, the application would be filed away and forgotten. 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. The state attorney general is investigating possible civil rights violations in the jail system, and Smith is fighting a political corruption accusation brought by a civil grand jury that claims she granted concealed firearm licenses to political supporters. 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. The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. NIchols owns a company called The Gun Co., which manufactures firearms parts. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. 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 charges. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. In a surprise turn, West used the defendants Monday arraignment to plead guilty. 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. In 2017, another captain had used inmate labor to build arbors and a storage shed. Hiscampaign filings do not reflect a total amount raised to date, but the candidate himself says hes raised about $50,000. Undersheriff ensnared in Santa Clara County concealed guns corruption probe, Sheriffs office hit with corruption probe over concealed weapons permits, | Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reporter. That is the County Sheriffs ultimate job duty. 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. Im the candidate that brings the fresh perspective and greatest opportunity for change.. Saying yes, but doing NO. Capt. 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. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? Len Ramirez and Kiet Do contributed to this story. They should not be for sale.". (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). You do the math. 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. 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. we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. Neil Valenzuela takes over Sheriffs West, 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, Capt. 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. We know Kevin Jensen as a person and we understand his leadership qualities, Ryan Elder, president of the association, told San Jos Spotlight. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party 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. Im the only candidate who has experience from a large sheriff organization as well as municipalities, and that diversity will serve me well, Jonsen told San Jos Spotlight, adding that his great-great uncle served as sheriff in Santa Clara County in 1870. hoped you would put name in hat .Thanks for running !! "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.". Prosecutors allege that Nielsen and West were connected to Jensen by Schumb, Nahal and Nichols to get $90,000 split between the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance whose assistant treasurer was Schumb, a veteran South Bay litigator and the Sheriffs Advisory Board. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. Rosen reiterated Monday that his offices investigation is still active, but declined to comment on whether prosecutors are any closer to implicating the sheriff. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. A California sheriff was suspended after she had inmates at a jail in Santa Clara county make her a BBQ for a break space used by corrections staff, a report said Tuesday. Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates Kevin Jensen and Bob Jonsen. I am the only candidate who has addressed these issues for 30 years, Allen said. Sheriffs Capt. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. If convicted could get 11 years in prison. Palo Alto police are out-of-control and Palo Alto has lots of payouts to victims. She has spent months fending off attacks from the Board of Supervisors, which voted no confidence in her leadership. But the sheriff position is not just any typical management job. Allen has received endorsements fromReverend Jeff Moore, former president of the Silicon Valley NAACP, and several retired sheriff employees. 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. Friday afternoon the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office told ABC7 News that Jensen was officially placed on administrative leave. 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. Jensen said he is also proud to have the support of former county Supervisor Blanca Alvarado. Among the charges he faces, Jensen, along with AS Solution program manager Jack Stromgren, is accused of instructing AS Solution security employees to falsify their home addresses or employer to meet in-county residency requirements for the sheriffs CCW permits. So he is also a liar. Jensen is competing with three other candidates: sheriff Sgt. This is the organizations third time endorsing an opponent of incumbent Laurie Smith, who has served as head of the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office since 1998. Thats why his chances a slim. Rosen wanted to make it clear his office will hold any public official accountable for misconduct. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. "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. The complete transcript of the grand jury's findings will be released in the coming weeks. Moreover, he doesnt have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. A retired Santa Clara County sheriffs captain who ran for office in 2014 and lost, Kevin Jensen believes he has the momentum to take the seat. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. Schumb is a prominent political backer of the Sheriff and served as Assistant Treasurer for the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee that supported Smith's election bid. The DA's investigation began shortly after the general election in 2018, sparked by an inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation, which was reported in public filings. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. 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. Here are the five candidates running for sheriff in alphabetical order. The division commander is Captain Rich Urena, who serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Los Altos Hills. We are not done.". They should not be for sale.". Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. Capt. Love to know the next forum is. | All donations are tax-deductible. Rosen said there were two paths when it came to the issuing of concealed gun permits by the sheriff's office: One for average citizens and one for campaign donors and VIPs. Ricardo Rich Urena has been tapped to replace Capt. Rosen noted that any average member of the public applying for a CCW license in accordance with the instructions on the Sheriff's Office website would not have their application reviewed. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. She needs to leave and take the stench shes created with her. Its a small town community I like interacting with.. Whether applicants received a permit depended on which group they belonged to. An inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation -- which was reported in public filings -- spurred the DA to start an investigation shortly after the general election in 2018. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. Between 2014 and 2018, 749 Santa Clara County residents applied for a new CCW permit, according to records provided by the sheriffs department. 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. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations. California law requires candidates for county sheriff to have experience as certified law enforcement officers. 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. 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. 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 Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office issued the following comment to ABC7 News. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office West Valley Division. Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant.