Former Farmersville Police Sergeant Charged With Embezzlement, Grand Theft

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 6 months ago on

December 11, 2024

A former Farmersville police sergeant has been charged on Monday, December 9, 2024, with embezzling $35,000 from police programs he managed. (Tulare County DA)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A former Farmersville police sergeant faces felony charges for allegedly embezzling funds from programs he managed during his tenure, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Wednesday.

Rafael “Ralph” Vasquez, 51, was charged on Monday with two counts of felony grand theft by embezzlement and two counts of felony grand theft.

Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2023, Vasquez diverted approximately $35,000 from accounts associated with the Farmersville Police Department’s explorer program and the Farmersville Police Officer’s Association, where he served as adviser and treasurer.

The investigation began in August 2023, when Farmersville Police Chief Jay Brock raised concerns to the Tulare County DA’s Office.

The DA’s Bureau of Investigations Forensic Fraud Unit reviewed bank records, conducted interviews with current and former city employees, and executed multiple search warrants as part of their inquiry.

On Wednesday, Vasquez surrendered to investigators, was booked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial facility, and released on $60,000 bail.

His arraignment is set for Jan. 9, 2025, in Superior Court.

If convicted, Vasquez could face up to three years in local jail and be ordered to pay restitution, officials said. Statutes preclude state prison for these charges.

Got a Tip?

The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Tulare County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations at (559) 636-5410.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

World’s Largest Almond Processor Will Shutter Sacramento Plant. 600 Workers Impacted

DON'T MISS

Trump Eyes Major Funding Cuts for California, Including All Public Universities

DON'T MISS

Farming Regulation Costs Rise 1,300% Since 2006: Cal Poly

DON'T MISS

Southern California Air Regulators Weigh a Plan to Phase Out Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Allows DOGE Broad Access to Social Security Data

DON'T MISS

Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up.

DON'T MISS

Abrego Garcia Is Returned to US From El Salvador

DON'T MISS

Proud Boys Convicted in Jan. 6 Attack Sue Government on Claims of ‘Political Persecution’

DON'T MISS

FDA’s AI Assistant ‘Elsa’ Fails Its First Day on the Job

DON'T MISS

Documentary Series Goes Inside Trump’s Bubble

UP NEXT

Trump Eyes Major Funding Cuts for California, Including All Public Universities

UP NEXT

Farming Regulation Costs Rise 1,300% Since 2006: Cal Poly

UP NEXT

Southern California Air Regulators Weigh a Plan to Phase Out Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Allows DOGE Broad Access to Social Security Data

UP NEXT

Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up.

UP NEXT

Abrego Garcia Is Returned to US From El Salvador

UP NEXT

Proud Boys Convicted in Jan. 6 Attack Sue Government on Claims of ‘Political Persecution’

UP NEXT

FDA’s AI Assistant ‘Elsa’ Fails Its First Day on the Job

UP NEXT

Documentary Series Goes Inside Trump’s Bubble

UP NEXT

Tulare County Gang Member Convicted of Trying to a Murder Police Officer

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.