California sheriff’s deputy resigns after drug arrest

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy has resigned following his arrest earlier this month on suspicion of being under the influence of cocaine, authorities said Sunday, Dec. 24.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jonathan Campos, 32, on Dec. 17, when they observed him under the influence while parked in a car with a former deputy in an empty housing development at Elina Rose Court and Berlina Road in Hesperia, according to a San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department news release.

“(The) controlled substance … was suspected of being cocaine,” the release stated.  “Although Campos was off-duty at the time of the incident, he was in possession of a firearm.”

Campos, who had been with the department six years and was assigned to the Hesperia station, resigned after his arrest, Sheriff’s Department officials said.

There was no evidence that Campos was under the influence while on duty, they said.

The former deputy, Ricardo Baires, 29, resigned in 2022, and is accused of possessing narcotics for sale and possessing ammunition while prohibited.

An anonymous tip in November told the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department about Campos and Baires’ alleged drug activity.

The sheriff’s gangs/narcotics division handled the investigation. While conducting a search warrant, police found drug paraphernalia at Campos’s home and drug sales paraphernalia and ammunition at Baires’ home, authorities said.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has a number of readily available programs to assist all our employees with any wellness or addiction issues,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in the statement. “I am disappointed Jonathan did not utilize these programs. Even though he no longer works for the department, I certainly hope he receives the treatment that he needs.”

Both men have been released on bail.