Share
THOUSAND OAKS — Three men including employees of a sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office in California have been arrested for investigation of the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter sign.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said late Saturday that a large tarp painted with the letters “BLM” has been repeatedly damaged while on display for three week on a fence in the city of Thousand Oaks.
The owner placed a surveillance camera nearby to capture any damage, and posted one of the incidents on social media, the office said in a statement.
Detectives recognized one of the suspects as a sheriff’s office employee, prompting an investigation, the statement said.
“I’m deeply disappointed that one of our employees involved himself in this type of illegal activity, especially when this is an infringement on someone’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech,” Sheriff Bill Ayub said in a statement. “We hold our employees to the highest standards, and there will be consequences for this.”
Case Has Been Referred to the Attorney General’s Office for Investigation
Darrin Stone, a service technician at a pre-trial detention facility, is accused of slashing the sign on June 13 and June 19. He was issued a misdemeanor vandalism citation and placed on paid administrative leave, the office said.
Craig Anderson, a 59-year-old investigative assistant at the Ventura County district attorney’s office, is being investigated for vandalism to the sign on May 31, the statement said. The district attorney’s office said the case has been referred to the Attorney General’s office for investigation and that Anderson has resigned.
A third man, 58-year-old Jeffrey Moore, is being investigated for graffiti to the sign on June 11, the office said.
Working phones for the men could not immediately be found. Email messages were sent to addresses linked to Stone and Moore. It was not immediately possible to reach Anderson.
RELATED TOPICS:
Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case
11 hours ago
CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?
11 hours ago
Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull
11 hours ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4
12 hours ago
Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO
12 hours ago
CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests
12 hours ago
Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead
14 hours ago
NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air
14 hours ago
Here Are Some Numbers That Will Help You Get Your March Madness Fix for the Sweet 16
14 hours ago
Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled