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Deputy Turns Self In (Update)
Attempted Extortion Charged
By G.T. Houts
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Update — Thursday 4:55 a.m.
San Bernardino, CA - San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy John Lauren faces attempted extortion charges involving an incident involving a Twin Peaks' resident. A warrant for his arrest was issued and the deputy surrendered at Sheriff's Headquarters in San Bernardino.
Minutes after Laurent turned himself in he was booked and released at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino with bail set at $35,000.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Headquarters (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)
Laurent, 29, is a resident of Victorville and has been associated with the Sheriff's Department for four years.
San Bernardino County Superior Court records do not show his first scheduled court appearance but that information is expected to be released later today.
Laurent is currently on paid administrative leave.
Update — Wednesday 4:50 a.m.
Twin Peaks, CA - San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy John Thomas Laurent, 29, turned himself in at Sheriff's Headquarters in San Bernardino shortly after noon Tuesday after being charged with attempted extortion.
A department news release indicated Laurent, a four-year veteran of the department, was charged by the District Attorney following a two-month investigation. A warrant for his arrest was issued at 8:46 a.m. in San Bernardino County Superior Court Department SW.
Booking records show Laurent, who was assigned to the Twin Peaks Station, was booked and released at 1:08 p.m. after posting $35,000 bail.
A press release from the department stated that on "January 15, 2008, a victim from Twin Peaks (Ray Carr Green) contacted officials alleging Deputy Laurent tried to extort him during a law enforcement contact that had occurred on January 10. The victim alleged Laurent promised not to pursue criminal charges against him in exchange for money and property."
Spokesperson Jodi Miller told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Laurent was placed on paid administrative leave and that an internal investigation is ongoing.
"The Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division conducted a criminal investigation and submitted their findings to the District Attorney's office," Miller revealed.
Laurent, who was escorted from the Sheriff's Department headquarters to the nearby Central Detention Center, was released the same day.
"That's not uncommon in a case with $35,000 bail," Miller explained. "He met the pre-trial release criteria and is not considered a flight risk or a danger to society."
At one time, the 45-year-old Green was listed as one of the Mountain's Most Wanted, but the case involving Laurent's alleged extortion was not released.
Reportedly, Laurent agreed to drop criminal charges against Green in exchange for money and property. Tribal records show Laurent is a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and is eligible to collect monthly "profit" checks from the tribe.
A date for Laurent's first appearance in court has been set but was not immediately available.
Original Story
Twin Peaks, CA – The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has just announced the arrest of 29-year-old Deputy Sheriff John Laurent of the Twin Peaks Station for attempted extortion.
Laurent, a Victorville resident, was arrested and booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and held on $35,000 bail.
The Sheriff's Department Press Release stated that on "January 15, 2008, a victim from Twin Peaks contacted officials alleging Deputy Laurent tried to extort him during a law enforcement contact that had occurred on January 10. The victim alleged Laurent promised not to pursue criminal charges against him in exchange for money and property.
"A criminal investigation was conducted by the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division and was submitted to the District Attorney's office," the media advisory continued.
"On March 4, the San Bernardino County District Attorney filed a criminal complaint charging Laurent with attempted extortion," the release concluded.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Sergeant Tom Bradford with the Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 387-3589.
