How to resolve AdBlock issue? Sheriff's office details drugs, weapons arrest of former Lakeport Police officer
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued a detailed report on the search warrant service last week that led to the arrest of a former Lakeport Police officer on allegations of drugs, weapons and stolen property possession.
Richard Edward Erickson, 60, was arrested last Friday morning by Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force members who also seized marijuana, stolen property, US currency, firearms and several vehicles, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Erickson was terminated from his job at Lakeport Police in 2006 and arrested shortly thereafter on charges of felony misappropriation of government funds and embezzlement of government funds or property, as Lake County News has reported.
He was accused of using department equipment for personal use, including during an affair with an 18-year-old woman who he later was charged with stalking and threatening.
A jury acquitted him of the criminal charges in May 2007, according to court records.
Since then he's been involved in other businesses, including A-1 Alarm and Lock and Envy Tanning Salon in Lakeport, and Reflections of Avalon in Ukiah, Brooks said.
Last Thursday, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Erickson's person, residence and three businesses businesses, with the warrant served at all four locations simultaneously at 8 a.m. Friday, Brooks said.
Narcotics detectives searched Erickson’s residence, which is located in the 4000 block of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport. During the search, detectives located more than 80 marijuana plants in two separate plots, Erickson was cultivating, Brooks said.
A large barn on the property was outfitted with approximately 30 indoor marijuana grow lights but was not currently active. Approximately 10 pounds of concentrated cannabis was located in the garage along with digital scales, packaging materials and price lists, according to Brooks.
On top of a large safe in the garage, was a Motorola portable radio and charger equipped with all the law enforcement frequencies. Further investigation revealed the radio was property of the Lakeport Police Department and was stolen by Erickson upon his termination, Brooks said.
Several semi-automatic rifles and pistols were located in the residence, along with a large amount of ammunition. Brooks said approximately $12,000 in cash also was seized from the residence.
He said narcotics detectives located and seized approximately 300 additional marijuana plants from satellite grow sites in the area, which were found to be in connection with Erickson’s operation.
Brooks said Erickson's Reflections of Avalon business is a marijuana storefront and dispensary on Talmage Road in Ukiah. He said it was a fully functional marijuana storefront where Erickson allegedly was buying and selling processed marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana plants for profit.
During a search of the business, detectives located and seized 167 marijuana plants, Brooks said. The marijuana plants were marked with prices and the strain of marijuana plant. Detectives seized a large amount of processed marijuana and food products containing marijuana, as well as a butane concentrated cannabis (hashish) lab from inside the business.
Inside the office area, detectives located and opened three safes. A large gun safe contained packaged processed marijuana and cash. One of the other safes contained Methadone and Oxycontin pills, both of which are strong opioids. The packaged narcotics were marked with milligrams and prices, indicating they were packaged for sales, Brooks said.
Detectives were unable to locate a labeled prescription bottle or pharmacy form for the narcotics inside the business, he said.
The last safe they opened contained processed marijuana, concentrated cannabis and approximately $4,000 cash. Brooks said all of the items were seized as evidence.
As detectives were executing the search warrant, no less than 10 customers arrived at the business to purchase marijuana. Two individuals also called the business while detectives were there, according to Brooks.
One of the individuals said he wanted to sell 17 marijuana plants and the other wanted to sell three pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said both subjects were arrested when they arrived to sell their product.
He also said detectives noticed a sign attached to the front counter, in front of the cash register. The sign read, “Attention: Temporarily credit card charges will show up on your statement as A-1 Alarm & Lock Lakeport Ca. Thank You.”
A search of Erickson’s A-1 Alarm and Lock business in Lakeport resulted in the discovery of a Thompson replica machine gun with both a 25-round and a 50-round magazine. Brooks said the firearm and both magazines were seized as evidence.
During the service of the search warrant 16 firearms were seized and 447 marijuana plants were eradicated. Brooks said detectives also located and seized approximately 12 pounds of concentrated cannabis (hashish), approximately 15 pounds of processed marijuana and $16,000 cash.
A total of three Harley Davidson motorcycles, two Sea-Doo Jet Ski’s, Kawasaki 4X4 Gator style utility vehicle and a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup also were seized for asset forfeiture proceedings, Brooks said.
Brooks said Erickson was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, armed while committing a drug offense, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and possession of a billy club.
Erickson was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $150,000. Jail records indicated he later posted bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
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Clearlake Police detectives investigate gang-related gunfire
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police detectives are investigating a Monday night incident in which gang members are believed to have fired a number of shots in a mobile home park.
Police responded to the report of numerous shots fired at York's mobile home park, 5645 Old Highway 53, at 9:45 p.m. Monday, said Sgt. Nick Bennett.
Bennett said witnesses reported a carload of alleged gang members were calling out gang names and fired off several rounds before leaving the scene.
“We don't know what precipitated it,” said Bennett.
When officers arrived, they found that no people or homes were hit by the gunfire, according to Bennett.
He said several shell casings were found on the ground in the area and taken into evidence.
“We have detectives working on it,” said Bennett.
He indicated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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Rivero asks appellate court to overturn decision requiring him to pay attorney fees in Brady matter
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's sheriff is asking an appellate court to overturn a judge's ruling requiring him to personally pay legal bills he's incurred in fighting a district attorney determination that he lied about a 2008 shooting.
Sheriff Frank Rivero filed the appeal with the First District Court of Appeals on July 9, serving the county of Lake with notice the following day, according to case documents. Full briefs in the case have not yet been filed.
He's appealing a May decision by Mendocino County Judge Richard Henderson, who – at the request of the Board of Supervisors – clarified a 2012 ruling requiring the board to hire outside counsel for Rivero, who at that point was under investigation by the District Attorney's Office for lying during an investigation.
The investigation revolved around a nonfatal February 2008 shooting in which Rivero – then a sheriff's deputy – shot at a man holding a can of pepper spray, a violation of sheriff's department protocol.
In February, after an investigation that had lasted nearly two years, District Attorney Don Anderson found there was evidence to support the conclusion that Rivero had lied to investigators about his actions, and Anderson placed Rivero on a list of “Brady” officers with credibility issues.
The “Brady” list is named for the 1963 US Supreme Court Case Brady v. Maryland, which requires the government to release to criminal defendants any potentially exculpatory evidence, including information about the credibility of peace officers involved in their cases.
Rivero subsequently sued Anderson in an attempt to prevent release of that information to criminal defendants – as Anderson legally is required to do – and to the public, and lost.
Following the February Brady determination, the county's supervisors put payment of all of Rivero's legal bills from the Fullerton-based Jones and Mayer law firm on hold until there was a clarification from Henderson on how long they were expected to pay for Rivero's legal action in response to Anderson's finding.
County Counsel Anita Grant said the bill for services rendered from the February decision through the third week of April was nearly $56,000, with additional fees incurred since then.
Henderson said during the May hearing that it had not been his intention to require the county to continue paying for Rivero's legal counsel past the final Brady determination.
He ordered an amended judgment and writ of mandate be prepared that stated that the independent counsel he had directed the county to hire for Rivero “shall not extend to any post-determination representation or litigation.”
One of Rivero's attorneys, Paul Coble, had indicated to Lake County News that an appeal was being considered shortly after Henderson's ruling clarification.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a budget transfer of $10,000 in order to hire an outside law firm to represent the county in the case going forward, according to Grant.
Grant said outside counsel is being brought in because one of her attorneys is retiring soon, and she doesn't believe she can fill the job before the start of the year.
She said that, considering the 40-percent increase in workload her office already has experienced, the county will need some assistance in defending the appeal.
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030413 Lake County District Attorney's Final Report Regarding Sheriff Rivero Brady determination
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Lakeside Heights update, sheriff's substation, commendations on board's Tuesday agenda
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The latest on a subdivision dealing with a destructive landslide, a proposed agreement for a sheriff's substation and commendations for heroic local law enforcement officers will be taken up at this week's Board of Supervisors meeting.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. It will be broadcast live on TV8.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will get another update from staff on the Lakeside Heights Subdivision in north Lakeport, where a landslide that began in March destroyed a number of homes and resulted in the evacuation of about half of the 29 homes in the development.
The supervisors will consider whether to continue the state of local emergency they declared in April, and discuss what other actions are needed regarding the subdivision's public water and sewer systems.
Earlier this month 41 homeowners in the subdivision filed tort claims against the county, alleging that leaks in the water and sewer system led to the landslide and associated home damage, as Lake County News has reported.
Also on Tuesday, the supervisors will consider a proposed lease agreement between the county of Lake and Big Oak Center, 13300 E. Highway 20, for a sheriff's substation, and consideration of other options for relocation of Clearlake sheriff's substation.
In another untimed item, the board will consider a budget transfer of $10,000 to fund a contract with a legal firm to represent the county in the matter of Rivero v. Lake County Board of Supervisors.
In that case, Sheriff Frank Rivero is appealing a judge's clarification of his own ruling that the county was not required to pay for additional legal counsel for Rivero after he was placed on a list in February of “Brady” officers with credibility issues.
That determination was made by District Attorney Don Anderson after investigating allegations that Rivero had lied about a nonfatal February 2008 shooting in which he shot at a man with pepper spray, a violation of department protocol.
In other board items, at 9:10 a.m. the supervisors will present proclamations of commendation to California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia and Lakeport Police Officer Stephanie Cruz-Green for lifesaving efforts they recently took while on the job.
The full agenda follows.
TIMED ITEMS
9 a.m., A-1 to A-4: Approval of consent agenda, which includes items that are expected to be routine and noncontroversial, and will be acted upon by the board at one time without discussion; presentation of animals available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control; consideration of items not appearing on the posted agenda, and contract change orders for current construction projects.
9:05 a.m.: Citizen's input. Any person may speak for three minutes about any subject of concern, provided that it is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors and is not already on the agenda. Prior to this time, speakers must fill out a slip giving name, address and subject (available in the clerk of the board’s office, first floor, courthouse).
9:10 a.m., A-5: (a) Presentation of proclamation of commendation to California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia for lifesaving efforts; and (b) presentation of proclamation of commendation to Lakeport Police Officer Stephanie Cruz-Green for lifesaving efforts.
9:15 a.m., A-6: (a) Presentation of 2010 Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for the county of Lake; and (b) consideration of proposed participation agreement between the county of Lake and Mendocino County Energy Watch for the preparation of a communitywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the county of Lake.
9:30 a.m., A-7: (a) Update on Lakeside Heights Subdivision; and (b) consideration of continued state of local emergency and other actions relating to the public water and sewer systems.
9:45 a.m., A-8: Carried over from July 16, public hearing, consideration of the following Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Reports: (a) Annual Grantee Performance Report for Program Income Activities, including Housing Rehabilitation RLF and Business Expansion and Retention RLF; (b) the Annual Grantee Performance Report for Grant No. 12-CDBG-8395; and (c) the Final Grantee Performance Report for #10-PIW-PF (Middletown Senior Center), a Program Income funded Public Facility Project.
10 a.m., A-9: Carried over from July 16, presentation of update on the Blue Water Satellite image analysis of Clear Lake and the watershed.
NONTIMED ITEMS
A-10: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
A-11: Consideration of proposed lease agreement between the county of Lake and Big Oak Center for office space located at 13300 East Highway 20, Suite O, Clearlake Oaks, to use as a sheriff's substation, and consideration of other options for relocation of Clearlake sheriff's substation.
A-12: Consideration of recommendation to award bid for the delivery of dairy products to the Lake County Jail Facility and Juvenile Hall.
A-13: Consideration of budget transfer to BU 1231, County Counsel, to fund contract with a legal firm to represent the County in the matter of Rivero v. Lake County Board of Supervisors.
A-14: Carried over from July 16: Consideration of request to award bid for construction of Chippewa South CSA Pavement Rehabilitation project (Kelseyville).
CLOSED SESSION
A-15: 1.Conference with Labor Negotiator: (a) County Negotiators: A. Grant, L. Guintivano, S. Harry, M. Perry, A. Flora and C. Shaver; and (b) employee organizations: Deputy District Attorney's Association, Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Lake County Correctional Officers Association, Lake County Employees Association and Lake County Safety Employees Association.
A-15: 2. Conference with real property negotiator, (a) property located at: 3980 Gard St., Kelseyville (APN 024-081-01); (b) negotiating parties for county: Supervisor Rob Brown, Child Support Services Director Gail Woodworth, County Administrative Officer Matt Perry and Deputy County Administrative Officer Alan Flora; for seller, Kelseyville Unified School District representatives; (c) under negotiation, lease terms.
A-15: 3. Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Spano v. County of Lake.
CONSENT AGENDA
C-1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on July 16, 2013.
C-2: Approve budget transfer B-002 for BU 4011 - Public Health to transfer $22,041 from Account 1.11 - Permanent Salaries to Account 1.12 - Extra Help Salaries, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-3: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education - Safe Schools Health Students Program for FY 2013-14 school-based specialty mental health services, maximum amount of $250,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-4: Approve agreement between county of Lake (AODS) and Hilltop Recovery Services for FY 2013-14 residential treatment services, for a maximum amount of $30,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-5: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Ford Street Project Residential and Social Model Detoxification Services for FY 2013-14 drug and alcohol treatment services, for a maximum amount of $30,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-6: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Milhous Children’s Services for FY 2013-14 specialty mental health services, maximum amount of $120,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-7: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Remi Vista Inc. for FY 2013-14 specialty mental health services, in the amount of $20,000 (with a 25% modification clause, total amount not to exceed $25,000), and authorize the chair to sign.
C-8: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Clover Valley Guest Home for FY 2013-14 residential support services, in the amount of $25,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-9: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Modesto Residential Living Center for FY 2013-14 residential support services, maximum amount of $35,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-10: Adopt resolution approving the Grant Project - Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program, and authorize the district attorney to execute the award agreement and any
amendments or extensions thereto.
C-11: Approve deed restriction as required by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, for trail amenities purchased for the Mount Konocti Trail, funded in part by the Habitat Conservation Fund, Trails Program, and authorize the chair to sign.
C-12: Approve advanced step hiring of extra help Eligibility Worker II Courtney Colcord, due to applicant’s extraordinary qualifications (Career salary step range).
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Former police officer arrested for drugs, stolen property
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A former police officer has been arrested on charges relating to drugs and stolen property.
Richard Edward Erickson, 60, of Lakeport was arrested at 9 a.m. Friday, according to Lake County Jail records.
He was arrested on four felony counts – manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, planting or cultivating marijuana or hashish and receiving stolen property, based on his booking sheet.
Erickson's bail was set at $150,000.
Sheriff's officials on Friday were not prepared to release additional details relating to Erickson's arrest.
Erickson served as an officer with the Lakeport Police officer until he was terminated in 2006, the same year that he was charged with felony misappropriation of government funds and embezzlement of government funds or property for using things like his patrol car and other department equipment for personal use, including an affair with an 18-year old woman.
He also was charged with stalking and making terrorist threats against the woman, with misdemeanor charges of violating a restraining order and domestic battery also lodged in 2006.
He was acquitted by a jury in May 2007, according to court records.
Erickson's booking sheet indicated he's due to appear in court on Tuesday, July 23.
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