RANCHO CUCAMONGA – FBI investigations of abuse inmates at the West Valley Detention Center involves at least three county deputies who are no longer working for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Neither the FBI nor the sheriff’s department would disclose the identity of the three deputies that were assigned to the jailhouse, other than they were no longer employed.
County officials would not disclose how deep the investigation has probed, or if other deputies have been accused.
A statement released by Sheriff John McMahon on Friday included a strong desire to discover the truth about any allegations surrounding abuse of prisoners.
“I will not tolerate any misconduct by department personnel,” he said. “These allegations are being taken very seriously and this department is determined to get answers.”
McMahon revealed that allegations first came to light on March 5. A news release disclosed an administrative investigation by ranking department members when inmate abuse surfaced.
During its own investigation, the county sheriff’s department discovered the FBI was also investigating a similar tip. Both agencies, said officials, are cooperating. The FBI’s criminal investigation, said a spokeswoman, includes a possible civil rights violation of the inmates at the jail in March.
It’s likely that the case will be submitted to the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles for possible criminal charges being filed, said the spokeswoman.
The West Valley Detention Center, which opened in 1991, is one of the largest jails in California with a bed capacity of nearly 3,500. According to information provided by the sheriff’s department, the center completes over 50,000 bookings and releases each year.
Captain Jeff Rose presides over the facility.
The jail is located at 9500 Etiwanda Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga, north of Interstate 10.
Read more:
The Sun: More San Bernardino County jail deputies under investigation
