The former San Benito County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of embezzling from the local deputies union is scheduled for a warrant return hearing Tuesday, more than three years after that warrant was issued.
Jason Lei, 37 at the time of the warrant’s issuance in May 2010, is set to appear in court for the warrant return at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in room 101 at the San Benito County Courthouse.
It is believed that Lei fled from police after authorities issued the warrant and could not locate him at a San Juan Bautista-area residence. The Hollister Police Department handled the case at the time to prevent a conflict of interest in the sheriff’s office.
He is suspected of embezzlement from the deputy sheriff’s association while serving as its treasurer, according to a police statement released at the time. Hollister police have accused Lei of embezzlement and unauthorized use of an access card, with the original bail set at $10,000.
Officials with the Hollister Police Department, sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office could not be reached immediately Monday.
