Sheriff Curtis Hill confirmed Wednesday his office intends to
fire Sgt. Mike Rodrigues, the deputy under investigation for
suspected rape and other crimes.
Hollister – Sheriff Curtis Hill confirmed Wednesday his office intends to fire Sgt. Mike Rodrigues, the deputy under investigation for suspected rape and other crimes.
“We’ve given him a notice of intent to terminate,” Hill said.
Hill said he could not discuss the reason why Rodrigues has been given the notice because of the California peace officer privacy laws. Before Rodrigues can be terminated, he is entitled to a hearing to explain his side of the story, Hill said. Rodrigues remains on paid administrative leave, the sheriff said.
Rodrigues, a 25-year department veteran, did not return calls to his cell phone seeking comment Wednesday.
The notice of intent to terminate is the latest in a tumultuous past few months for the sergeant.
On Monday, the sheriff confirmed Rodrigues is a suspect in an alleged rape, the intimidation of a witness or victim and two violations of a court order to prevent domestic violence. Hill did not reveal any new information Wednesday pertaining to the criminal investigation into Rodrigues.
Hollister Police Department Capt. Richard Vasquez also has confirmed the city department is probing an allegation against Rodrigues, possibly a felony, but would not detail the suspected crime. Police are also investigating an Aug. 18 reported stalking of three women that lists Rodrigues as a suspect.
In late August, two women, one his wife, filed requests for restraining orders against Rodrigues, according to San Benito County Superior Court documents.
Both of those requests will be heard before San Benito County Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders on Sept. 28. The court order bars Rodrigues from possessing a firearm. Rodrigues has said the requests were “ex-wife driven.”
On June 10, Rodrigues shot an unarmed man who later died from a drug overdose, the gun shot wound, shocks from a Taser gun, struggles with law enforcement and pepper spray, a forensic report concluded. The Sheriff’s Office reported that the man, 29-year-old Israel Guerrero, advanced aggressively toward Rodrigues and was unfazed by non-lethal force.
Hill said Rodrigues followed proper procedure, but violated office policy by having his 11-year-old daughter in the patrol car during the incident. Hooper said the shooting was legal.
