LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three men federal officials arrested earlier this month in connection with a series of local home invasion robberies are scheduled to appear for their preliminary hearings and arraignments early in January.

Eric Van Mendonca, 42, a former Lake County Sheriff’s deputy, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at his Middletown home on Dec. 19, along with Terry Jacksen, 46, who lived on Mendonca’s rental property and 54-year-old Hidden Valley Lake resident Jack David Pollack, as Lake County News has reported.

The case against them alleges that they participated in a series of home invasion robberies in and around Lake County.

Dressed in Lake County Sheriff’s uniforms, the men targeted and robbed marijuana grows, the FBI alleged in its complaint against them.

They made brief court appearances last week in San Francisco federal court and returned to court this week for additional proceedings, according to court documents.

Mendonca is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.

Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley signed an order on Monday setting conditions for Mendonca’s release. He was released after posting $50,000 bond secured by property, case documents showed.

His preliminary hearing has been set for 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, in San Francisco before Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler, according to the court calendar.

Jacksen is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and Pollack is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

While Mendonca was released, court records showed that both Jacksen and Pollack remain in federal custody, with their preliminary hearings and arraignments also set for Jan. 7 before Magistrate Judge Beeler.

If convicted, Jacksen could receive as much as 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with Pollack facing a maximum 20-year prison sentence and $1 million fine if he’s found guilty.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.