Tuolumne County Sheriff

Congratulations to Jail Deputy Mary Ramirez, Jail Deputy Garrett Sholer, and the entire Adult Corrections Officer Core Academy Class on their recent graduation!

Deputies Ramirez and Sholer will return to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) where they will continue their careers as solo jail deputies.

Congratulations on this milestone in your careers!

**Burglar Caught in the Act**

On Monday, November 27th, 2023, just before 3:00 in the afternoon, deputies responded to North Fork Road near Merrill Springs Road in Long Barn for a report of a subject who had entered private property and was still on scene.

When deputies arrived, they contacted 39-year-old Jonathan Johnson in a forested area of the property holding a metal detector. Deputies conducted a record check of Johnson and found he was on parole for burglary. Deputies searched Johnson and his vehicle and did not locate anything illegal. After releasing Johnson with a trespass warning, deputies continued to investigate and located bolt cutters and an electric grinder near a camping container with a door which had been forced open.

The following day, on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023, at about 9:30 in the morning, deputies responded to the area of Long Barn Road near Long Barn Lane in Long Barn after receiving information from Johnson’s Parole officer that Johnson was in the area. When deputies arrived, they searched the area and heard footsteps in a residence that appeared vacant. Deputies surrounded the residence and made announcements for approximately an hour, calling for Johnson to come out. Eventually Johnson exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies continued their investigation and located signs of forced entry into the residence. Inside the residence, deputies located Johnson’s backpack and a metal detector. Deputies also found methamphetamine, drug use paraphernalia and a round of ammunition belonging to Johnson.

Johnson was arrested and transported to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) where he was booked on charges of first-degree burglary, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, felony violation of parole, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of stolen property and obstructing or resisting a peace officer. Additionally, Johnson was booked on charges of second-degree burglary and felony parole violation from the Monday incident on Merrill Springs Road.

Later that day, around 1:30 in the afternoon, deputies and state parole conducted a compliance search of Johnson’s residence. While searching Deputies found additional ammunition and various other items including power tools and jewelry in Johnson’s residence which they believed to be stolen property. Deputies seized the items for safekeeping while additional follow-up is being done to determine the owners of the property. Deputies booked Johnson on the additional charge of a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.

This case is currently under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Today is National Package Protection Day!

Here are some things to keep in mind during the holiday season.
17% of Americans have had a package stolen in the past three months.
Ahead of the holiday season, 88 percent of adults are worried about theft of online purchases. More than a quarter are “extremely” or “very” concerned.

Here are some tips if you are having packages delivered:
• Avoid doorstep package theft; consider shipping packages to your place of work or use the ship to store option.
• Sign up for delivery alerts so you know when your delivery is scheduled - and when the package has been delivered.
• Bring your packages inside as quickly as possible.
• If you're not able to be home when a package will be delivered, ask a neighbor to hold it for you.
• Make home surveillance and security cameras and lighting obvious, and confirm that it’s working.
• Select signature required delivery (if available).
• Provide delivery instructions to have the delivery service place your packages in an out sight location.

If you do have a porch pirate steal from you:
• Make sure it was stolen (not delayed, mis-delivered, etc.).
• Notify the seller and shipper immediately.
• Contact law enforcement.

For more updated info about package theft research check out Security.org https://www.security.org/package-theft/annual-report/

This past Saturday, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputies working OHV visited Ridge Mountain Resort and found some folks enjoying our beautiful county for Thanksgiving. They also found an extra special visitor, and Deputy Stephens was able to let Santa know what he wanted for Christmas!

**SCAM ALERT**

We want to warn our community to be alert for scam attempts this holiday season. We have recently been made aware of various phone/mail scams affecting Tuolumne County residents. The following are examples of recent scam attempts:

-Scammers calling, identifying themselves as a member of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and requesting money for donations to be sent by mail, as a money order, electronic fund transfer or crypto currency.

-Scammers calling, identifying themselves as a member of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, telling the resident they have a warrant for their arrest and requesting money in order to avoid arrest. Often the scammer will request payment as a crypto currency or other unusual form of payment.

-Scammers sending mail on behalf of the sheriff’s office requesting money for donations to be sent by mail, as a money order, electronic fund transfer or other unusual form of payment.

We want to remind everyone the sheriff’s office:

• Will never ask you to pay money in order to avoid arrest/warrant.
• The sheriff’s office is not soliciting donations by mail.
• If you are ever in doubt about information, by mail or phone call, from someone claiming to be with Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office you can call our non-emergency line 209-533-5815 to confirm.

One of the best ways to keep yourself safe from scammers:

When a company or government agency unexpectedly calls, hang up and contact the business or agency directly to find out if the call/solicitation was legitimate.

Additional red flags to look out for:

• When asked to pay by any unusual payment systems such as crypto, electronic fund transfer, gift card, green dot card, money order or peer-to-peer payment systems (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, etc.) it may be a scam.
• When asked to pay “upfront,” for personally sold items/services, contest winnings or a prize, it may be a scam.
• Scammers attempt to rush and push their victims into making a decision without time to verify and thoughtfully consider the information. If someone is rushing/pushing you to make a decision, it may be a scam.

** Caught in the Act **

Early this morning, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the StorQuest Call Center of a male breaking into one of the storage units. He was seen on surveillance cameras driving around and moving the cameras to point up at the sky. Deputies responded and were able to detain three suspects. After a careful search of the opened lockers, which included K9 Ryker assisting in the search, no other individuals were found. During the course of the deputies investigation, the suspects admitted to entering the lockers without permission. During a search of the suspects, suspected drugs were found.

With the holiday season upon us, we’d like to remind everyone to be watchful of their surroundings, and to call in any suspicious activity. Please keep your doors and windows locked and your vehicles secure. Working together, we can keep our community safe.

From all of us at the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, we wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving filled with loved ones and delicious food. We are grateful for our amazing community.

Congratulations to Deputy Albanez on her successful completion of Field Training!!

Deputy Albanez started her career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Custody Support Tech, then became a Community Service Officer. She recently graduated from the Stanislaus Regional POST Academy. Deputy Albanez will now start the next phase of her career as a solo beat deputy!

Congratulations to Dep. Albanez, we are grateful to have her on the team!!

Congratulations to Deputy Fant on her successful completion of the jail training program within the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC)!! Deputy Fant will now begin working as a solo jail deputy within the DDC.

We are excited to welcome Deputy Fant to our TCSO family, and we wish her the best of luck on the next stage of her TCSO career!!

**NOW HIRING DISPATCHERS** PLEASE SHARE**

Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office is hiring dispatchers. Multiple positions are available. Apply to be invited to the next testing date.

I: $22.64 - $27.52 per hour
II: $25.01 - $30.40 per hour

$12,000 hiring incentive ($20,000 for laterals)

Don't pass up this great opportunity to join an amazing team of dispatchers💛💛

For more information or to apply, please visit the Tuolumne County website at:

https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/923/Current-Employment-Opportunities
or call our non-emergency line at 209-533-5815

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women who have selflessly served our great country. Thank you for your sacrifices. Happy Veterans Day!

We were at Ladies Night Out at Adventist Health Sonora, and would like to thank everyone who bought a pink patch and helped us raise money to support the fight against cancer!

We’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween! Please be safe and watch out for pedestrians while you are out trick or treating.

We would like to thank the Tuolumne County Superintendent Of Schools Office for inviting us to participate in the annual Red Ribbon Week Drugstore Project they host at the Fairgrounds. In addition to TCSOS staff, we were joined by CHP - Sonora, Tuolumne County Probation Department, Tuolumne County Behavioral Health, Tuolumne County Public Health, the U.S. Forest Service-Stanislaus National Forest, CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, Sonora Police Department, Manteca District Ambulance Tuolumne Division, Adventist Health Sonora, and members of the Tuolumne County Court system. Students were educated on the impacts of drugs and alcohol on your body, gateway drugs, how to spot paraphernalia, and the repercussions for getting caught (including simulated arrests and processing through the justice system). There were also some fun stations, including our SWAT Bearcat. Students were guided around to each station by TCSOS employees and members of our Community Service Unit. We look forward to continuing working with all the involved parties in educating the youth of Tuolumne County in the future.

Congratulations to our two newest TCSO team members on successfully passing their training!!!

Deputy Natalia Salcedo recently completed her field training at the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) and is now a solo jail deputy.

Custody Support Technician (CST) Kennedi Blackmore recently completed her training program and is now working at the DDC as a CST.
We are especially proud of Kennedi because she is the first Explorer out of our current program to begin working within the sheriff’s office as a full-time employee.

Congratulations to you both on this career milestone!!

Drug Take-Back Day will be Saturday October 28th at the Tuolumne County Library, from 10:00am - 2:00pm.

During Drug Take-Back Day we will be available to take-back any prescribed or over the counter medications which are unused or expired.

Keep our Tuolumne County kids safe as they exit the school bus!!

Please remember to drive safely near school buses. No matter which direction you’re coming from you must stop if you see a school bus with red flashing lights and stop arm deployed.

Pink patches are here!!

You might see us wearing pink patches this month in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

If you want to help us support the cause, Pink patches are available for purchase through the month of October at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office for $5 each between the hours of 9:00am - 4:00pm. All proceeds will be donated to the Diana J. White Cancer Center to support their efforts in the fight against cancer.

**Update**

All Sheriff’s Office units have been released from the incident.

Please continue to avoid the area as fire crews are still on scene.

** Structure fire on Paseo de los Portales road**

Please be advised of a structure fire on Paseo De Los Portales Road near El Venada Trail. Please avoid the area if possible as first responders are working in the area.

There are no evacuation orders or warnings at this time.

Our hearts are with the members of Manhattan Beach Police Department and the family and loved ones of Officer Chad Swanson. On October 4th, Officer Swanson was involved in a fatal traffic collision while on duty.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice Officer Swanson.

Deputy Souza and K9 Shadow recently completed the 5K Officer Memorial Run while in full uniform.

The Peace Officer Memorial Run is an event put on by the Peace Officer Memorial Group, a non-profit organization, whose goals are to educate the public about officers who die in the line of duty, to support and assist the families of fallen officers, and to raise public awareness of the Stanislaus County, State and National memorials for fallen officers.

** UPDATE ON MAN WANTED ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO SOLICIT MINORS FOR S*X – IN CUSTODY**

On October 3, 2023, twenty-seven year old Dominic Allen Schmitz (Transient) was arrested in Napa County by Detectives from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office. This arrest is in connection with the Sheriff’s ongoing investigation. Our office appreciates all of the support from our community and allied agencies in locating Schmitz and safely taking him into custody.

Tomorrow, October 4, 2023, there will be a nationwide emergency alert test sent to all TVs, radios, and cell phones at 11:20 am PT (2:20 pm ET). This test message will be sent to all TVs, Radios, and Cell Phones. Please note that the broadcast could take several minutes to get to your mobile device and may not be right at 11:20 am.

For FEMAs Frequently Asked Questions about this test, please check out their FAQ document:https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ipaws-2023_national-periodic-test-faqs.pdf

**HELP US LOCATE MAN WANTED ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO SOLICIT MINORS FOR S*X**

We are asking the public to help us locate Dominic Schmitz, anyone who sees Schmitz or knows of his whereabouts to please immediately contact TCSO at 209-533-5815.

On 9/28/23, TCSO Detectives initiated an investigation into 27-year-old Dominic Schmitz for crimes involving contacting minors with s*xual intent. Sheriff’s Detectives have interviewed several victims/witnesses and obtained video surveillance. During the course of this investigation, detectives have been made aware of two additional incidents where Schmitz has contacted minors in the downtown Sonora area.

The first incident was reported on 9/23/23 by staff of Sonora Union High School to the Sonora Police Department. On 9/23/23 Schmitz contacted several minors at a school fundraiser event at Applebee’s restaurant, in Sonora City. Schmitz provided one of the minors a business card with s*xually suggestive language written on it. Following the initial Applebee’s incident, Schmitz was reportedly contacting Sonora High School students on Washington Street.

At this point in our investigation Schmitz’s behavior and actions lead us to believe he is actively targeting minors with the intent to solicit s*x. The Sheriff’s Office wants Schmitz on the charges of, soliciting a minor for s*x and annoying or molesting a minor.

All local and surrounding agencies are working together to locate and arrest Schmitz.

Schmitz is described as white male, 27-years-old, brown hair, bearded, blue eyes, approximately 6’ tall, 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white/light-gray hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, and dark colored shoes (As pictured in surveillance footage above).

On Thursday 9-28-2023, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a separate report of a s*xual assault in downtown Sonora, where deputies arrested 47-year-old Davin Huhtala on the charge of s*xual battery. Huhtala’s arrest is not related to Schmitz in any way.

Congratulations to Deputy Hammerbeck on his successful completion of the jail training program! Deputy Hammerbeck will now begin working as a solo jail deputy within the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC).

We are excited to have Deputy Hammerbeck join our TCSO team and we wish him the best of luck on the next stage of his TCSO career!!

**HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AT THE DDC**

Last week Shayne Greenway and Chad Carmichael were awarded their High School Diplomas after completing high school while at the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC).

The program offered at the DDC gives inmates the opportunity to complete their high school education by offering the classes needed to obtain their diploma.

This collaboration between the Sheriff's Office and the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office utilizes a classroom at the jail and a full-time teacher assigned to help those inmates looking to better themselves through completion of their education.

Congratulations Shayne and Chad!

Thank you Sonora Quilts of Honor for taking the time to honor our military veteran deputies with your handmade quilts!

Quilts of Honor is a non-profit which honors military service members, both active and veterans, by providing quilts as way to show appreciation with the hope the quilts will provide comfort, love and healing.

We are grateful and feeling the love!

**UPDATE**

All TCSO units have been released. Please continue to avoid the area if possible as fire crews will be working.

**FIRE NEAR STOCKTON STREET AND MILL VILLA COURT**

Please be advised of a fire in the area near Stockton Street (Highway 49) and Mill Villa Court. Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working. (12:13pm)

There are no evacuation orders or warnings at this time.

Our hearts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s loved ones. Deputy Clinkunbroomer was senselessly murdered in the line of duty after being ambushed and shot while he was inside his patrol vehicle last night around 6pm. Sadly he succumbed to his injuries. We hope the suspect(s) responsible for his death with be brought to justice swiftly.

May Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s service and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Yesterday we had several scouting groups come out to learn about different roles within the Sheriff’s Office, including the opportunity to check out the equipment and meet K9 Shadow.

We’ve been enjoying patrolling under the clear blue skies this week after the wild weekend storms.

Stay safe Tuolumne County!

**Alternative Contact Information for Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line** THURSDAY 9-14-23

We are again experiencing issues with our non-emergency phone line (209-533-5815). Our emergency lines are working as normal. If you need to contact us on a non-emergency line, please call:

-209-533-4005
-209-533-4008

**UPDATE** **Non-Emergency Line Working as Normal**

Our non-emergency phone line is working as normal.

If you need to contact us on a non-emergency line, please call 209-533-5815.

**Alternative Contact Information for Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line**

We are experiencing issues with our non-emergency phone line. Our emergency lines are working as normal. If you need to contact us on a non-emergency line please call:

-209-533-4005
-209-533-4008
-209-770-6969

Thank you and have a safe weekend!

Last week Sheriff Pooley swore in 10 new members of the TCSO family including 7 Jail Deputies, a Dispatcher, a Custody Support Technician and a Senior Accountant.

6 of our 10 new TCSO teammates are Sonora High School graduates, but all share a love for the Tuolumne County community.

The next step for everyone is field training.

Congratulations to all of our newest teammates on this career milestone!! We wish them the best in the next phase of their careers!!

**UPDATE****FIRE NEAR ISOM LANE AND YOSEMITE ROAD** (3:45pm)

Our SO units have been released from the scene; Cal-Fire indicates the fire is under control. Please continue to avoid the area as fire will be on-scene working.

**FIRE NEAR ISOM LANE AND YOSEMITE ROAD**

Please be advised of a structure fire in the area of Isom Land and Yosemite Road.

Please avoid the area as emergency responders will be in the area working. (2:58)

There are no evacuation orders or warnings at this time.