Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jun 2000
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2000 The Fresno Bee
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Author: Pablo Lopez, The Fresno Bee

EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF METH SALES

Fresno County Worker Charged With Selling Drugs To Inmates.

Sheriff's detectives investigating the sale of methamphetamines in Fresno 
County Jail on Friday arrested a county employee and charged him with 
supplying inmates with the drug.

Ross Camarillo, 43, a 15-year employee, was booked into jail on four counts 
of sales of methamphetamines to inmate trustees. His bail was set at $40,000.

A mechanic at the county's fleet service yard, Camarillo was taken into 
custody without incident after lunch, Lt. Robert Hagler said.

"He didn't just break a rule," Hagler said. "He sacrificed a 15-year career 
by supplying inmates with drugs."

Drugs, tobacco and money are among a number of items inmates can't possess, 
but they have created a system to get the contraband.

Typically, it takes an inside source, such as an inmate trustee, to get the 
contraband in the jail. County employees also have been caught taking 
contraband into the jail, but "it's rare," Hagler said.

Trustees are inmates on a honor system, working outside the jail by doing 
such things as cleaning roadways and parks. Although they are supervised, a 
relative or friend can strategically place money or drugs in an empty soda 
can or envelope for the trustee to pick up.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Hagler said.

In this case, Camarillo is accused of selling drugs to trustees who worked 
at the county yard, where Camarillo serviced dump trucks, road graders and 
other heavy duty diesel vehicles.

Hagler said the Sheriff's Department learned of Camarillo's illegal 
activity in May and sprang into action.

First, an inmate working with sheriff's detectives on two occasions 
purchased a small amount of methamphetamines from Camarillo, Hagler said. 
After the inmate was released from jail, the inmate on two more occasions 
purchased the amphetamines from Camarillo, he added.

Camarillo was then arrested and search warrants were immediately served at 
his home in the 5200 block of East McKenzie Avenue and at a business in the 
3500 block of East Central Avenue where he worked part time.

Among items seized, Hagler said, were drugs and weapons.

Detectives said they want to know how long Camarillo may have been 
supplying drugs and tobacco to inmates and the amount of contraband that 
may have been sold. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fresno 
County Narcotics Enforcement Team at (559) 453-4815 or Crime Stoppers at 
(559) 498-STOP.
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