Whoever faked a letter from Madera County's sheriff could face jail time

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The idiosyncratic who faked a missive from Madera County's Sheriff Tyson Pogue astir gunfire connected New Year's Eve could beryllium facing immoderate transgression consequences, according to the Madera County Sheriff's Office.

The letter, allegedly distributed to homes successful the Madera Ranchos community, falsely that the sheriff had fixed a unpaid "permission to mention you $2500.00" for shooting guns connected New Year's Eve. The letter, dated Dec. 26, stated that a uniformed patrol unpaid would beryllium placed connected Paula Road to guarantee that the no-shooting petition was enforced.

According to the Madera County Sheriff's Office, the writer of the fraudulent correspondence could beryllium facing clip down bars: nether California Penal Code § 538d and California Penal Code § 472, the usage of the Sheriff's Office logo unsocial is considered a misdemeanor, with penalties including up to 1 twelvemonth successful jail.

Officials accidental attempting to utilize authoritative instrumentality enforcement insignia arsenic a means of intimidating citizens oregon threatening ineligible enactment is "a blatant usurpation of the law."

Incidents similar this undermine nationalist spot successful instrumentality enforcement and our quality to support positive, transparent relationships with our community. While it is perceptible this correspondence is not connected authoritative letterhead, the severity of its implications is not lessened.

Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue says having his sanction included successful the letters is besides concerning.

“I americium troubled by the usage of my sanction and authoritative presumption by this chartless idiosyncratic attempting to power residents successful our community," Pogue said. "I worth the integrity of my bureau and would ne'er authorize this benignant of activity. Cases wherever instrumentality enforcement officials are impersonated are peculiarly concerning, and volition not beryllium tolerated."

The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to study immoderate suspicious communications oregon further accusation astir the fake letters by calling (559) 675-7770.