LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A former sheriff’s deputy and two other men arrested Dec. 19 for their alleged involvement in a series of local home invasion robberies made their first appearances in federal court last week.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested former Lake County Sheriff’s deputy Eric Van Mendonca, 42, of Middletown, along with Terry Jacksen, 46, who lived on the Middletown property Mendonca rented, and Jack David Pollack, 54, of Hidden Valley Lake, as Lake County News has reported.
Mendonca is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, while Pollack is facing charges for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and Jacksen for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The FBI alleges that the three men were involved in committing a series of home invasion robberies in and around Lake County in which they dressed in Lake County Sheriff’s Office uniforms and stole marijuana.
In one case from October, they were accused of tying up a local man and several of his friends before taking marijuana, with the victim in the case later identifying them.
On Dec. 20 they made brief initial appearances before Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins in San Francisco. Court records indicated they were advised of their rights and the charges, and motions for detention were entered. They did not enter pleas.
Mendonca’s detention hearing was set for Monday morning before Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. Jacksen’s attorney appointment hearing on Dec. 21 was continued to Monday, records showed.
In addition, Pollack’s detention hearing was set for Friday, Dec. 28, also before Corley.
Court records indicated that all men remain in custody.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
