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. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. Kinda like if you are applying for a cook job and you are not aware that preparing meals is the basic part of your job then what is the point of continuing the job interview? The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. 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. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. "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. Source: https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf. 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. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. (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. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. 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. 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.. 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. 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. 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 am the only candidate who has addressed these issues for 30 years, Allen said. Schumbs attorney Joe Wall also filed a motion to remove the DAs office from the case, citing that Schumb has been a friend and fundraiser for District Attorney Jeff Rosen. 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. 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. In a statement, the sheriff's office said Jensen will be placed on administrative leave immediately. 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. Daily Post Staff Writer. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. Santa Clara County Sherif 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. 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. There were 44 reported burglaries from January to October of 2021, while 59 burglaries were reported in the same time period in 2022. 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. Nichols, CEO of The Gun Co. based in Milpitas, reportedly knew Nielsen as a buddy, and eventually worked with Nahal and Schumb to get the alleged quid pro quo in motion. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. 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. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. "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. Rosen said his office's probe was triggered by a San Jose Inside article focusing on a large 2018 contribution to Smith's campaign. 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. Capt. How safe is your neighborhood? The Constitution for the United States of America and its capstone iBill of Rights is the Law of the Land; and all statutes and state constitutions repugnant to the Constitution for the United States of America are null and void. 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. Hiscampaign filings dont reflect a total amount raised to date, but Allen said hesraised $21,000. 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. 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. Neither Smith, who has the sole authority in her agency to grant the gun permits, nor Martin Nielsen an AS Solution manager who provided security for Facebook executives has been charged. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. We have seen such words used when the City Council has voted. Moreover, he doesnt have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Rosen did say that his office had reviewed phone and computer records and interviewed dozens of witnesses to determine whether there had been communication between Jensen and the Sheriff regarding the bribery scheme. In court Monday, he asked Judge Eric Geffon to re-seal the grand jury transcripts on the grounds that his clients trial rights will be prejudiced by their release.. Len Ramirez and Kiet Do contributed to this story. 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. He replaces Capt. The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. Saturday and Sunday through Closed. Hannah Kanik is a Bay Area News Group reporter covering Santa Clara County's West Valley for The Mercury News, East Bay Times, The Los Gatos Weekly and The Saratoga News. 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. Allen says he stands out from his opponents because hes spent much of his career openly criticizing the office. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. We are not done.". 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. Hope Now we get a real sherriff elected. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. about the scheme. As of January, he has raised $72,398. Number of employees at Santa Clara County with job title Sheriff's Correctional Captain is 35. "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. County Sheriff's Captain, Prominent Lawyer Charged with Gun Permit Bribery Scheme. "They should not be for sale. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? By comparison, Sacramento County has more than 5,000 active permits. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group;. Sheriff's Department Captain James Jensen, attorneys Christopher Schumb and Harpaul Nahal and business owner Michael Nichols are charged with conspiring with the CEO and a middle manager of AS Solution, Inc. -- an international security company -- to offer a $90,000 bribe to obtain concealed firearms permits (CCW licenses) for the company's executive protection agents. 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. 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. And were here to provide it. 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. 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. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and three others have been charged in connection with a gun permit bribery scheme, District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced Friday. (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). A retired Santa Clara County sheriff's captain who ran for office in 2014 and lost, Kevin Jensen believes he has the momentum to take the seat. Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California. The other three members of her command staff including former Mountain View . Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. 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. Urena was promoted to the position Aug. 1. I will always remember my oath to protect and servethat will be my ultimate oath, and thats why Im running for sheriff.. 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. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. This is my favorite place to work. Every captain thats worked on this side of town has made an impact with the community. 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.. In 2017, another captain had used inmate labor to build arbors and a storage shed. As we gather more evidence, we expect to file more charges against more individuals in the coming weeks. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. Reggie Cooks said he couldn't disclose why that happened and offered the following official response: "In . The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. public and her constituents and say what's going on. He also notedhes implemented community advisory groups in every command position hes held. Sheriff Bob Jonsen has been in law enforcement since 1986. 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. Hes also interested in growing the jails mental health resources by potentially enlisting interns and clinicians in training from local universities. As NBC Bay Area first reported more than a week ago, a criminal grand jury has been looking into allegations of "pay to play" for concealed gun permits in the South Bay. Photo courtesy of Kevin Jensen. Hirokawa said Jensen's quick rise to captain after Smith's re-election raised eyebrows in the office at the time. How safe is your neighborhood? Emergency Contact Information . 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. Our jail is among the 100 systems nationwide with an inmate population of more than 1,000. The Sheriff's Office provides a high level of proactive police services to residents, schools, and the businesses within our jurisdiction with a strong emphasis on community service. 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"We will follow the evidence where it leads. 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 was at the sheriff forum and only one candidate said she would uphold the US Constitution. 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. 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. CBS. 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. hoped you would put name in hat .Thanks for running !! We are a bit troubled by the words overwhelmingly and unanimously (and others) when it comes to any voting. "My concern is not whether the sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," Rosen said. 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. 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. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox.
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