◼ Two more arrests in jail contraband case
Two more suspects have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy charges in connection with the recently arrested correctional officer.
Taryn Nicole Mabe, 20, of Willow Creek, and Ruben Anthony Peredia, 32, of Eureka, were arrested on five conspiracy charges, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the investigation into the conspiracy has been on going for a month and revealed that Peredia allegedly arranged for his girlfriend, Mabe, to drop off narcotics, tobacco and marijuana to a location outside of the jail. Correctional Officer Benjamen Edward Jentry-Rakestraw, who was arrested July 3, would allegedly pick up the contraband and attempt to bring it in the facility for Peredia, according to the press release.
Jentry-Rakestraw posted his $50,000 bail Wednesday night and was released from custody. Mabe turned herself in Wednesday night and she also posted bail of $20,000 and was released.
Peredia has been in custody since March 1 on suspicion of murdering Ezra Sanders and was booked for the conspiracy charges Thursday afternoon.
No other arrests in the case are anticipated. Arraignments for Peredia and Mabe and Jentry-Rakestraw's intervention are scheduled for next week.
See Also: Ezra Sanders, under labels
Showing posts with label Jentry-Rakestraw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jentry-Rakestraw. Show all posts
3.20.2010
TS - Guard arrested for allegedly bringing drugs into jail
◼ Guard arrested for allegedly bringing drugs into jail
A correctional officer from the Humboldt County jail was arrested while on duty after a month-long investigation into reports that a guard was possibly smuggling contraband into the facility, officials said Monday.
Officer Benjamen Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, was stopped at 9:30 p.m. Friday as he allegedly attempted to bring 4.3 grams of heroin and small amounts of tobacco and marijuana into the Humboldt County jail, according to a press release.
The investigation began about one month ago when sheriff's investigators and correctional staff received information that there was an officer possibly bringing contraband into the jail.
Jentry-Rakestraw has been with the department since September 2007, said Humboldt County Sheriff Gary Philp, adding much of department is surprised by the arrest.
”Pretty much across the board everyone is feeling shocked and kind of betrayed,” Philp said.
Background checks and training are extensive for correctional officers and so it is “especially surprising” when a trusted officer is arrested, Philp said.
Jentry-Rakestraw is young for his position but it's not atypical for a 20-year-old to be a correctional officer, Philp said.
”But most of our officers are older,” he added.
In a press release, Philp stated, “The type of incident is a complete anomaly for us and is frankly a gross violation of trust to us as well as the public we serve and will never be tolerated.”
Three search warrants were served and surveillance was used during the investigation, according to the release. More arrests are expected but no other officers are suspects.
Jentry-Rakestraw was booked on suspicion of bringing a narcotic controlled substance into a correctional facility, bringing contraband into a correctional facility and possession of a narcotic controlled substance, all of which are felonies, according to the release. He was also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Although the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office may later add charges to the case, Philp said his office will not suggest any more charges.
His bail was set at $20,000 and he is expected to be arraigned by Wednesday.
Contact Allison White at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
A correctional officer from the Humboldt County jail was arrested while on duty after a month-long investigation into reports that a guard was possibly smuggling contraband into the facility, officials said Monday.
Officer Benjamen Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, was stopped at 9:30 p.m. Friday as he allegedly attempted to bring 4.3 grams of heroin and small amounts of tobacco and marijuana into the Humboldt County jail, according to a press release.
The investigation began about one month ago when sheriff's investigators and correctional staff received information that there was an officer possibly bringing contraband into the jail.
Jentry-Rakestraw has been with the department since September 2007, said Humboldt County Sheriff Gary Philp, adding much of department is surprised by the arrest.
”Pretty much across the board everyone is feeling shocked and kind of betrayed,” Philp said.
Background checks and training are extensive for correctional officers and so it is “especially surprising” when a trusted officer is arrested, Philp said.
Jentry-Rakestraw is young for his position but it's not atypical for a 20-year-old to be a correctional officer, Philp said.
”But most of our officers are older,” he added.
In a press release, Philp stated, “The type of incident is a complete anomaly for us and is frankly a gross violation of trust to us as well as the public we serve and will never be tolerated.”
Three search warrants were served and surveillance was used during the investigation, according to the release. More arrests are expected but no other officers are suspects.
Jentry-Rakestraw was booked on suspicion of bringing a narcotic controlled substance into a correctional facility, bringing contraband into a correctional facility and possession of a narcotic controlled substance, all of which are felonies, according to the release. He was also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Although the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office may later add charges to the case, Philp said his office will not suggest any more charges.
His bail was set at $20,000 and he is expected to be arraigned by Wednesday.
Contact Allison White at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
Bail increased, charges changed for officer
◼ Bail increased, charges changed for officer
The correctional officer arrested earlier this week on suspicion of bringing drugs into the county jail now faces four charges and is being held on $50,000 bail.
Benjamen Edward Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, is charged with possession of heroin, conspiracy to furnish heroin and two counts of bringing narcotics into a jail, according to the county District Attorney's Office.
He will also be transported to a different jail facility.
Jentry-Rakestraw's lawyer, Michael Robinson, asked the court to allow the defendant to be let out of jail until the trial because he was not a flight risk nor a danger to society. Jentry-Rakestraw's pastor had offered to house him.
Robinson said his client was not a violent criminal but he had allegedly been used by others.
”He allowed himself to be used and manipulated by the people he was set out to guard and crossed the line allegedly, and perhaps in some sense, absolutely,” Robinson told the judge.
Jentry-Rakestraw has no prior criminal record, Robinson said.
”I've learned that he is a bright light in a family with a history of law enforcement conflict,” he said.
Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein argued the defendant was a danger to people in the community and he accused Jentry-Rakestraw of selling heroin solely for profit and for getting the drug for 32-year-old Ruben Anthony Peredia. Peredia is currently in jail and on trial for the murder of Ezra Sanders.
Robinson stated Klein's reasoning was “ridiculous” and it had no bearing on whether bail should be lifted.
Judge Marilyn B. Miles kept the defendant's bail requirement because of the public safety risk and left it at $50,000 from Tuesday's arraignment. The charges held a maximum bail of $100,000.
His preliminary hearing was set for July 17.
Jentry-Rakestraw's arrest was the result of a one-month-long investigation when sheriff's investigators and correctional staff received information that an officer may be bringing contraband into the jail, Sheriff Gary Philp said.
Search warrants were served for Jentry-Rakestraw's phone records, vehicles and residence, Philp said. Surveillance was also used in the investigation at his home and work.
More arrests are expected for others involved in the conspiracy charge to furnish heroin but no other officers are suspects, Philp said.
Within the sheriff's office, employees are coping with the shock of Jentry-Rakestraw's arrest and the feeling of betrayal that came along with it, Philp said.
”It's a difficult situation but we have a group of very professional people and their dealing with it as best they can,” Philp said. “We'll all get past this.”
Contact Allison White at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
The correctional officer arrested earlier this week on suspicion of bringing drugs into the county jail now faces four charges and is being held on $50,000 bail.
Benjamen Edward Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, is charged with possession of heroin, conspiracy to furnish heroin and two counts of bringing narcotics into a jail, according to the county District Attorney's Office.
He will also be transported to a different jail facility.
Jentry-Rakestraw's lawyer, Michael Robinson, asked the court to allow the defendant to be let out of jail until the trial because he was not a flight risk nor a danger to society. Jentry-Rakestraw's pastor had offered to house him.
Robinson said his client was not a violent criminal but he had allegedly been used by others.
”He allowed himself to be used and manipulated by the people he was set out to guard and crossed the line allegedly, and perhaps in some sense, absolutely,” Robinson told the judge.
Jentry-Rakestraw has no prior criminal record, Robinson said.
”I've learned that he is a bright light in a family with a history of law enforcement conflict,” he said.
Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein argued the defendant was a danger to people in the community and he accused Jentry-Rakestraw of selling heroin solely for profit and for getting the drug for 32-year-old Ruben Anthony Peredia. Peredia is currently in jail and on trial for the murder of Ezra Sanders.
Robinson stated Klein's reasoning was “ridiculous” and it had no bearing on whether bail should be lifted.
Judge Marilyn B. Miles kept the defendant's bail requirement because of the public safety risk and left it at $50,000 from Tuesday's arraignment. The charges held a maximum bail of $100,000.
His preliminary hearing was set for July 17.
Jentry-Rakestraw's arrest was the result of a one-month-long investigation when sheriff's investigators and correctional staff received information that an officer may be bringing contraband into the jail, Sheriff Gary Philp said.
Search warrants were served for Jentry-Rakestraw's phone records, vehicles and residence, Philp said. Surveillance was also used in the investigation at his home and work.
More arrests are expected for others involved in the conspiracy charge to furnish heroin but no other officers are suspects, Philp said.
Within the sheriff's office, employees are coping with the shock of Jentry-Rakestraw's arrest and the feeling of betrayal that came along with it, Philp said.
”It's a difficult situation but we have a group of very professional people and their dealing with it as best they can,” Philp said. “We'll all get past this.”
Contact Allison White at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
TS - Case against county correctional officer delayed
◼ Case against county correctional officer delayed
A correctional officer accused of bringing drugs into the Humboldt County jail had his case delayed Wednesday due to misplaced copies of evidence materials intended for his defense attorney.
Benjamen Edward Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, is accused of attempting to bring heroin, marijuana and tobacco into the jail on July 3. He was also accused of allegedly providing prisoner Ruben Anthony Peredia with the drugs, according to court documents.
Peredia is currently in jail on charges connected to the murder of Ezra Sanders. Neither Peredia nor Taryn Nicole Mabe, who allegedly brought the drugs to Jentry-Rakestraw, have been officially charged by the District Attorney's Office for the incident.
The DA's office was supposed to provide a copy of Jentry-Rakestraw's statement to police for his defense attorney, Michael Robinson. Robinson told the court Wednesday that he had requested the information from the DA's office multiple times with no success.
He said with some humor that he “resisted going Tasmanian devil” on Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein for not providing the documents in a timely manner.
”... I need to know what my client said,” Robinson told the court.
Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Marilyn B. Miles agreed that Klein should have furnished the report much earlier, even without requests from Robinson.
Robinson said he received a data disc Wednesday morning that should have had the statement on it. But when he opened it on his computer, the disc was blank.
Klein told the court that there was a second, now missing disc with the correct data on it. He said his staff would send it to Robinson as soon as they located it.
”We will get Mr. Robinson everything he's entitled to,” Klein said.
Jentry-Rakestraw's next court date is an intervention hearing set for Oct. 7.
Allison White can be reached at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
Allison White/The Times-Standard
Posted: 08/20/2009 01:25:16 AM PDT
A correctional officer accused of bringing drugs into the Humboldt County jail had his case delayed Wednesday due to misplaced copies of evidence materials intended for his defense attorney.
Benjamen Edward Jentry-Rakestraw, 20, of Fortuna, is accused of attempting to bring heroin, marijuana and tobacco into the jail on July 3. He was also accused of allegedly providing prisoner Ruben Anthony Peredia with the drugs, according to court documents.
Peredia is currently in jail on charges connected to the murder of Ezra Sanders. Neither Peredia nor Taryn Nicole Mabe, who allegedly brought the drugs to Jentry-Rakestraw, have been officially charged by the District Attorney's Office for the incident.
The DA's office was supposed to provide a copy of Jentry-Rakestraw's statement to police for his defense attorney, Michael Robinson. Robinson told the court Wednesday that he had requested the information from the DA's office multiple times with no success.
He said with some humor that he “resisted going Tasmanian devil” on Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein for not providing the documents in a timely manner.
”... I need to know what my client said,” Robinson told the court.
Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Marilyn B. Miles agreed that Klein should have furnished the report much earlier, even without requests from Robinson.
Robinson said he received a data disc Wednesday morning that should have had the statement on it. But when he opened it on his computer, the disc was blank.
Klein told the court that there was a second, now missing disc with the correct data on it. He said his staff would send it to Robinson as soon as they located it.
”We will get Mr. Robinson everything he's entitled to,” Klein said.
Jentry-Rakestraw's next court date is an intervention hearing set for Oct. 7.
Allison White can be reached at 441-0506 or awhite@times-standard.com.
Allison White/The Times-Standard
Posted: 08/20/2009 01:25:16 AM PDT