Calling the Cops

On 10/23/2023, I (Deputy Caloca #697) was in full uniform driving a fully marked Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) patrol vehicle. I was assigned to the Holtville Unified School District (HUSD) as the School Resource Officer. I was equipped with my department issued body worn camera. At approximately 0730 hours, Deputy Benavidez #669 advised me [redacted] reported her 14 year old daughter, [redacted], left their home on 01/20/203 and was refusing to return home from school. I advised Deputy Benavidez I was familiar with the juvenile, who was a student at Holtville High School ( HHS). I advised Deputy Benavidez I would confirm with HHS [redacted] attended school. At approximately 0820 hours, [redacted] arrived at HHS and requested to speak to Principal [redacted] about refusal to return home. Principal [redacted] and I met for a conversation about the issue. [redacted] reported [redacted] had kicked her out of the home on 01/20/2023, and she [redacted] had spent Friday night and Saturday night at a friend's house. [redacted] said she spent Sunday night at her boyfriend's [redacted] house. [redacted] reported [redacted] was upset because they are going to leave Holtville to live in Brawley. [redacted] and [redacted] were counselled and [redacted] agreed she would return home. At approximately 1351, HHS Dean of Student [redacted] informed me [redacted] had spoken to a school counselor and stated she did not want to go home to [redacted]. I drove to HHS where I met with and Counselor [redacted]. I asked what reported. [redacted] informed me reported [redacted] was verbally abusive to her and would mentally abuse her. I spoke with [redacted] and asked her why she changed her mind. [redacted] told me she did not want to go home because she felt unsafe with her mother. [redacted] said she wanted to be removed from the home by Child Protective Services. I asked [redacted] why she felt unsafe. [redacted] told me there was a history of physical abuse, and she was previously removed from the home in 2021. [redacted] informed me the last time her mother attempted to hit her was over one month prior. [redacted] reported her mother is verbally abusive and is constantly using derogatory words toward her. I requested ICSO dispatch to contact CPS and have someone call my work cell phone. Shortly after, CPS worker [redacted] called me. I briefed [redacted] on the report made by [redacted] of constant verbal/metal abuse from her mother. [redacted] told me CPS would not respond, due to the juvenile not being in immediate danger. [redacted] told me [redacted] had to return home and a CPS worker would conduct a home visit within 10 days. I informed [redacted] abd GGS staff CPS would not respond and [redacted] had to return home. [redacted] agreed to return home. i left HHS with no further incident.

On Friday, February 10, 2023, I (Deputy Caloca #697) was in full uniform driving a fully marked Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) patrol vehicle. I was assigned to the Holtville Unified School District (HUSD) as the School Resource Officer. At approximately 1250 hours, Holtville High School ( HHS) Principal, Anthony Arevalo, requested to speak to me in reference to two HHS students who were caught with suspected THC vape pens on school grounds. I drove to HHS, where I met with Principal Arevalo. Principal Arevalo told me he received a report from a staff member, who witnessed students [redacted] and [redacted] blowing clouds of smoke as they were walking back to HHS from the lunch break. Principal Arevalo intercepted and as they were walking by the front office. Principal Arevalo told [redacted] and [redacted] they were seen blowing smoke as they were walking back to school. [redacted] admitted to possessing a THC based vape pen, and gave it to him. Principal Arevalo conducted a search of [redacted] back pack and located a second vape pen. Principal Arevalo informed me [redacted] and [redacted] would receive a five day suspension for multiple education code violations, and he requested for [redacted] and [redacted] to be cited for possessing THC on school grounds. Principal Arevalo informed me [redacted] mother would not be present during the suspension, and a care taker would be picking [redacted] up from school. I spoke with [redacted] mother, [redacted], via telephone and informed her [redacted] would be receiving a citation for possessing THC on school grounds. [redacted] understood and told me a caretaker would be picking up [redacted]. Principal Arevalo and I proceeded to meet with and caretaker, [redacted]. I informed [redacted] possession of any marijuana based product on school grounds was a violation of Health and Safety code 11357( d). I informed [redacted] I had spoken with [redacted] and I was going to issue [redacted] a citation for the violation. I issued [redacted] citation [redacted] signed the citation with a promise to appear ( date to be notified). I gave [redacted] a copy of the citation and advised her to give it [redacted]. [redacted] was suspended and left HHS with no further incident. Principal Arevalo and I proceeded to meet with [redacted] and his adult sister, [redacted]. I informed [redacted] possession of any marijuana based product on school grounds was a violation of Health and Safety code 11357(d). I told [redacted] I was going to issue a citation for the violation. I issued [redacted] citation [redacted] signed the citation with a promise to appear (date to be notified). I gave [redacted] a copy of the citation.

On 03/30/2023, I (Deputy Caloca #697) was assigned to the Holtville Unified School District as the school resource officer. At approximately 1347 hours, I met with Holtville High School (HHS) Counseling Assistant [redacted] in reference to a past occurred vandalism report. [redacted] informed me her vehicle was vandalized sometime during her work day. I followed to her vehicle, which was parked in the designated staff parking located on the west shoulder of Olive Avenue just North of 7th Street. [redacted] showed me an approximately 1.5 inch scratch on the front driver side door of her gray 2007 Land Rover Range Rover bearing California license plate [redacted]. [redacted] stated the scratch was not on her vehicle door when she parked at 0640 hours. [redacted] noticed the scratch on the vehicle door when she took her lunch break at approximately 1200 hours. [redacted] was unable to provide any suspect information or leads at time of report. [redacted] was unable to provide any estimates for the damages. I provided [redacted] with a business card with the report number. I reviewed HHS surveillance cameras, but was unable to locate any cameras that covered the area [redacted] vehicle was parked at.

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, I ( Deputy J. Caloca #697) was in full Imperial County Sheriff'' s Office (ICSO) uniform assigned to the Holtville Unified School District (HUSD) as the School Resource Officer. At approximately 0906 hours, Sergeant J. Conkey #655 called me via cell phone and informed me ICSO command staff received a complaint about a rumored sexual relationship between a Holtville High School ( HHS) student and a HHS female teacher. I informed Sergeant Conkey I was not aware of such rumors. At approximately 0921 hours, I met with HHS Principal, Anthony Arevalo. I informed Mr. Arevalo ICSO received a complaint about a rumored relationship between a HHS female teacher and a male student. I asked Mr. Arevalo if he knew anything about the rumors. Mr. Arevalo stated HUSD heard about the rumors and he along with Superintendent Celso Ruiz conducted an internal investigation. Mr. Arevalo stated the findings were inconclusive. Mr. Arevalo identified the alleged involved HHS teacher as [redacted] and the student as [redacted]. Mr. Arevalo informed me was a part time HHS [redacted] student ( takes two classes) and full time [redacted] student. [redacted] does not have any classes with [redacted]. Mr. Arevalo told me the rumor that was heard was that [redacted] and [redacted] were having some type of relationship. Mr. Arevalo was told [redacted] was in her office inside the girl's locker room with [redacted] and the door was locked. A HHS staff member was looking for [redacted] and knocked on her door which was locked and [redacted] was inside with [redacted]. The fact that [redacted] was inside the office with [redacted] was strange because [redacted] does not have that class. The staff member knocked on the locked door and [redacted] opened it immediately within 1 second. I asked Mr. Arevalo if it was normal for a male scudent to be in [redacted] office which is in the girl's locker room. Mr. Arevalo stated it was not normal. Mr. Arevalo had a conversation with [redacted] and his mother and informed them told them he is welcome to come to HHS and attend his classes but he should not be hanging out in other areas of the campus if he did not have a period at the location. Mr. Arevalo told [redacted] it was more appropriate for him to go to the office or library during an off period if there was a need. Mr. Arevalo informed me [redacted] and her family spent time together with [redacted] family because they are close family friends. Mr. Arevalo informed me he conducted an internal administrative HHS investigation. Mr. Arevalo stated Mr. Ruiz joined him in several investigations regarding all the issues. Mr. Arevalo stated the HUSD attorney was also brought in throughout the process. The findings from their investigations do not [redacted] suggest has not done anything that suggest she was involved in a sexual relationship with [redacted]. Mr. Arevalo stated [redacted] has done things that show poor judgement on behalf of a teacher. I asked Mr. Arevalo what type of decisions [redacted] had made that showed poor judgement. Mr. Arevalo provided examples such as; having a boy in her office with the door closed, transporting students in her own vehicle (instead of using HUSD vehicle), being seen in the wrestling room with students with the lights off ( Mr. Arevalo stated sometimes this happens). Mr. Arevalo told me he also heard that [redacted] was in Yuma on a Friday night with [redacted]. [redacted] explained she was mentoring him because [redacted] was going through some [redacted]. Another instant that was reported was that there was a funeral service where [redacted] showed up with [redacted]. This was cause for concern to community members, because a teacher showed up to a funeral with a student. [redacted] has had instances where she shows up with [redacted] to school games. Mr. Arevalo informed [redacted] parents met with Mr. Ruiz and an investigator. Parents are very aware of the situation and state nothing is going on between [redacted] and [redacted]. [redacted] was also interviewed and stated nothing is going on between him and [redacted]. [redacted] was also interviewed and also stated there was nothing going on between her and [redacted]. Mr. Arevalo stated several faculty members and staff were also interviewed. Nothing demonstrated any sexual relationship between [redacted] and [redacted]. Mr. Arevalo did not have any additional information to provide. At approximately 1000 hours, I spoke with [redacted] mother, [redacted]. I informed [redacted] ICSO received a complaint of a rumors going around involving [redacted] and a HHS teacher. I asked if she knew anything about the rumors. [redacted] told me they were straight rumors. [redacted] told me the school just finished a complete investigation where an outside resource interviewed everyone. [redacted] told me Celso Ruiz (HUSD Superintendent) determined the allegations were only rumors. [redacted] added she is aware of the times has [redacted] been with [redacted]. [redacted] informed me [redacted] is a family friend. [redacted] asserted there is no intimate relationship between [redacted] and [redacted]. [redacted] told me the allegations were only rumors and she was satisfied with the investigation conducted by HUSD. At approximately 1019 hours, I met with [redacted] in Mr. Arevalo' s office in private. I told [redacted] he was not in trouble and informed him I heard about rumors going around involving him and a HHS teacher. I asked [redacted] to tell me about the rumors. [redacted] told me the rumor was that there was sexual stuff going on between him and [redacted]. I asked if there was any sexual relationship between and him. told me "No Sir". I asked [redacted] what his relationship to [redacted] was. [redacted] told me [redacted] was a family friend. I asked [redacted] if he had seen [redacted] off campus in the past. [redacted] told me he had spent time with off campus in the past frequently, but not lately. [redacted] added that his parents knew about it and were aware of where they were at all times. I asked [redacted] what they did when they hung out off campus. [redacted] told me they went to the store like Walmart to get A. S. B. stuff, eat dinner, and would return home. I asked [redacted] to confirm or deny the rumor of him and eating at a restaurant in Yuma (Arizona). [redacted] told me "yes". [redacted] told me they went to Hobby Lobby to buy A. S. B. stuff. I asked [redacted] if he was part of A. S. B. [redacted] told me "no". I asked why he was helping with A. S. B. stuff. [redacted] said [redacted] was a family friend and he was helping her out. I asked what else happened that day. [redacted] told me they ate at Texas Roadhouse and returned home after. I did not ask any additional questions, and he was sent back to his classroom with no further action. At approximately 1035 hours, I met with [redacted] in an office in private. I informed [redacted] ICSO received a complaint about a rumored sexual relationship between a HHS student and a HHS female teacher. [redacted] told me she was willing to cooperate with me and answer any question, and asked if her husband could be present. I told [redacted] there was no need and she was not in any trouble. [redacted] began crying and told me this has been emotionally too much for her. I asked if she could tell me about the rumors. [redacted] told me she heard a lot of things but they were just rumors. [redacted] said one of the rumors she heard was that someone said they saw them ([redacted] and her) leaving the desert together and she was wearing his shirt. [redacted] stated she has never been to the desert together. [redacted] said they have been out there at the same time, but she would be camping out in an area with her family and her friends and [redacted] would be in a different area with his family. [redacted] said [redacted] and his siblings would drive by her campsite and say hi because they are family friends. [redacted] stated she does not know who is saying these rumors and trying to ruin her life. While I was speaking with [redacted] her husband ([redacted]) called her cell phone. [redacted] put her cell phone on speaker. I informed [redacted] about the reported rumors, and that I was not conducting a criminal investigation at this time. [redacted] told me another rumor she was told about was that she was seen inside the wrestling room with [redacted] with the lights off. [redacted] said that happens all the time, where kids sneak into the weight room. [redacted] understands that the light should have been turned on when she went in there with the students, but added she would have had to walk across the room to the location of the light switch. [redacted] stated it was not a big deal because she walked in the room to tell the students to get out. [redacted] has to kick students (both male and female) to get out frequently. [redacted] said she heard question about her and [redacted] being seen together a lot. I asked [redacted] if that rumor was truthful. [redacted] said they used to be together all the time at the beginning of the school year. [redacted] said she made trips to make A. S. B. purchases and sometimes [redacted] would go along with her and other times other students would go. [redacted] would confirm with [redacted] mother and get parental consent to take [redacted] with her. [redacted] told me they would go get the stuff they needed and usually get something to eat and they would return. [redacted] told me [redacted] would be with her a lot because he would help her with A. S. B. stuff. [redacted] said [redacted] was not part of A. S. B. and the trips were over the summer and at the beginning of the school year after school. [redacted] told me last year her son was in minor league baseball as a catcher and [redacted] was a catcher previously. [redacted] said her son looks up to [redacted] because they share that in common. [redacted] told me [redacted] would go see her son's games, where she would be with her husband and kids. [redacted] would sit with her and her family to watch the games as a family unit. [redacted] said she is certain people saw him at her son's games. [redacted] said [redacted] was just around and she treated him like his kid. I provided [redacted] a business card with the report number. I explained the process of obtaining a copy of the report. I terminated my interview with [redacted] with no further incident. After speaking to school staff and the rumored involved parties, I was unable to find any evidence of an intimate relationship between [redacted] and [redacted]. Based on my findings I determined the allegations to be rumors only. No further action is necessary from ICSO.