A San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer was arrested this week and three other Sheriff’s Office employees placed on leave as an investigation into illegal drug and weapons activity widens, according to the agency.
Correctional Officer Brandon Wolff was arrested Wednesday on several charges, including suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, illegal possession of an assault rifle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, Sheriff Patrick Withrow said in a video news conference.
“This revelation brings immense disappointment to our entire office,” Withrow said in a news release.
Wolff allegedly was found to be in possession of a controlled substance that he intended to sell as well as an illegal assault rifle, the agency said, and was arrested following an internal investigation and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. He was no longer in custody Sunday, according to online jail records.
Three additional Sheriff’s Office employees, including two correctional officers and one civilian staffer, were placed on administrative leave out of an abundance of caution amid the investigation, Withrow said. Additional charges in the case may or may not follow pending the o outcome of both criminal and internal investigations, the agency said.
“Our office is composed of many professional outstanding courageous staff. This investigation should not overshadow the great work that they do every day protecting your family and this community,” said Withrow, who was elected to his first term in 2018 and reelected in 2022. “I want to make it very clear that since day one, I’ve said that I will fight crime that comes to our community and I will never allow criminal activities in our area here. Not in our own community and especially not within my own office. Once we caught wind of any wrongdoing, we acted with swift and appropriate measures to remove this cancer from our office. This behavior will not be tolerated.”
“And it is no means a representation of the courageous men and women who come to work here every single day, upholding the laws of our state and our community. And at this time, I’d like to take the opportunity to apologize to the citizens of San Joaquin County to the other law enforcement agencies in our area that will feel the wrath of this stain that has been brought to our department,” Withrow continued. “We will continue to fight to make sure that we bring you the top-quality law enforcement and community support that we have for years and when we recognize any wrongdoing, we will act immediately and as I said bring it to you and admit our wrongdoing.”
In 2021, a San Joaquin County Jail correctional officer was arrested on sexual assault charges, the District Attorney’s Office announced Dec. 2, 2021.
Correctional Officer Alejandro Cardenas Tafoya was indicted on sexual assault crimes, including oral copulation by force, sexual penetration by force, false imprisonment by violence, fraud or deceit, and assault by a police officer
