Alameda County sheriff’s deputy back on duty after alleged DUI crash and assault

DUBLIN — An Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy is back on duty after crashing his car into a Livermore home earlier this year while allegedly under the influence of alcohol, and punching a retired cop.

Deputy Gael Paredes, 27, was arrested May 4 on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing into a home in the 500 block of Jeannie Way in Livermore around 2 a.m. He’s also accused of punching the homeowner, who happened to be a retired Oakland police sergeant.

In May, he was placed on leave but is now back on duty working at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, confirmed Alameda County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ray Kelly on Thursday. Paredes returned to duty after dealing with some “health issues,” Kelly said.

“It’s important for employers to make sure people who have addiction issues, that those employees get treatment and are helped toward recovery,” Kelly said.

Paredes was specifically placed in a nonpatrol position where he will not have interaction with the public, Kelly said.

Paredes was charged with several misdemeanors —  driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while having a blood-alcohol level higher than 0.08% with a prior, hit and run while driving, battery of an elder, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, according to court records.

He also has a 2011 misdemeanor conviction for alcohol-related reckless driving. He pleaded no contest and received one day in county jail and three years of court probation, which expired in August 2013, according to court records.

It is because the charges were misdemeanors that he was placed back on duty. If he had been charged with felonies, that would carry a different weight in terms of having him reinstated, Kelly said. Other former or current sheriff’s deputies charged with felony crimes in the past have not been placed back on duty while awaiting criminal trials.

Paredes is related to Undersheriff Richard Lucia through marriage, Kelly confirmed.  Kelly said this did not factor into the deputy getting special treatment.

Kelly said there is an active and ongoing investigation with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Paredes will next appear at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin on Oct. 24 for a pretrial hearing.

Bay City News contributed to this report.