Jail Records Keeper Headed for Jail
Santa Barbara – Facing charges of first degree residential burglary, Mary Methmann, 45, has worked as a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Custody Records Department staffer since 2005, but is now going to be out of work for a while.
Mary Methmann
Things began to unravel for Methmann when, on January 4th, there were allegations made that she had stolen $50 cash from the Santa Barbara County Jail office where she worked. At that time, an investigation into that allegation commenced and resulted in Methmann being placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of that inquiry.
According to SBSD Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover, while that investigation was under way, “a significant amount of jewelry valued at more than $10,000” was stolen from a Goleta area home, and detectives working that case found themselves facing evidence that pointed to Methmann. With search warrant in hand, SBSD Detectives arrived at her Carpinteria apartment, found additional evidence of the residential burglary, took her into custody, and booked her into Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $50,000.
Sidestepping what could well have been a serious public relations challenge, Sheriff Bill Brown addressed the press immediately, saying “We are extremely disturbed that someone from within the Sheriff’s Office would betray the public trust in this manner.” After heaping praise on the rest of his staff, Brown went on to assure the public with “all necessary steps are being taken to ensure this type of crime is not repeated.”
Probably a good idea.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
KeyT: Sheriff’s Records Clerk Arrested in Residential Burglary
Santa Barbara Independent: Jail Clerk Arrested for Jewelry Theft
