Statement from County of Monterey Board of Supervisors About Investigation within County Sheriff's Office

The County of Monterey Board of Supervisors has been made aware of a report that

prescription drugs, intended for the healthcare needs of inmates in the Monterey

County Jail, may have been illegally passed from a private company employee

working in the jail to an employee of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department

working at the jail.

The Board has been informed that the matter is under investigation, and that the

Sheriff’s Office took immediate action upon learning of the situation. If the allegations

prove true, the Board of Supervisors is calling upon the Sheriff to take swift and

decisive action within his legal authority and to work quickly to ensure the appropriate

actions, including disciplinary consequences, are pursued.

The Sheriff (a Constitutional Officer) has the

ultimate responsibility and ability to enforce all laws and policies within his

department as established by the Constitution of the State of California. Ultimately, the

Board of Supervisors has no authority to discipline Sheriff’s Department personnel.

The County’s Board of Supervisors has zero tolerance for such unprofessional

behavior and potentially illegal activity by any employee of the County, including

those within the Sheriff’s Department.

The Board also commends the hundreds of employees within the department who

continue to do their important work despite the stress and pressure of recent news

events. They are grateful for their continued public service.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

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King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

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