Undercover Investigation Reveals Narcotic Activity Involving Former and Current Sheriff’s Deputies in Hesperia

INCIDENT: Under the Influence of a Narcotic Controlled Substance While Armed; Possession of a Firearm and a Narcotic Controlled Substance; Possession of a Narcotic Controlled Substance for Sales and Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition

LOCATION: Elina Rose Ct. and Berlina Rd., Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): Jonathan Campos, 32-year-old male resident of Hesperia
Ricardo Alonzo Baires, 29 year-old-male resident of Hesperia

VICTIM(S): State of California

SUMMARY: On November 18, 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous We-Tip alleging former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricardo Baires and current Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Campos were involved in drug activity. The Gangs/Narcotics Division conducted the investigation.

On December 17, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., investigators observed and contacted Baires and Campos, who were sitting in Baires’ vehicle at an empty housing development located in the area of Elina Rose Ct. and Berlina Rd., in Hesperia.

Campos was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance which was suspected of being cocaine.  Although Campos was off-duty at the time of the incident, he was in possession of a firearm.

Suspected cocaine and paraphernalia that indicated sales was located inside Baires’ vehicle. Search warrants were authorized for both Campos’ and Baires’ residences. Drug parapharnalia was located at Campos’ residence and drug sales paraphernalia along with ammunition was located at Baires’ residence.

Campos was arrested for HS11550(e) – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance While Armed and PC29800(A)(1) – Possession of a Firearm While in Possession of a Narcotic Controlled Substance. Campos was booked at the West Valley Detention Center.

Baires was arrested for HS11351 – Possession of a Narcotic Controlled Substance for Sales and PC30305(A)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition. Baires was booked at the High Desert Detention Center. Both Campos and Baires were released on bail.

During the investigation, there was no evidence to show Campos was under the influence while on-duty and no other Sheriff Department employees were found to be involved. Campos was a six-year veteran of the department assigned to the Hesperia Station. Following his arrest, Campos resigned from the Sheriff’s Department.

Baires was hired as a deputy sheriff in 2018 and resigned in 2022.  The investigation will be forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Michael Battisti of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has a number of readily available programs to assist all our employees with any wellness or addiction issues. I am disappointed Jonathan did not utilize these programs. Even though he no longer works for the department, I certainly hope he receives the treatment that he needs” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus.

Refer: Detective Michael Battisti

Station: Gangs / Narcotics Division

Phone No. (909) 387-8400

Case No. 652300857

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department”