An investigation proved Montoya knew Willis was wanted because he repeatedly checked the department's system for outstanding warrants. DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS RECRUITMENT UNIT. Sgt. Scott Stone turned himself in to the Lake County Detention Center on a warrant. Despite the verdicts, the OCSD legal team indicated to the judge that they wont concede their loss. Hes well-organized, quick on his feet, well-versed on legal matters and, I suspect in most cases, an exceptionally clever advocate. When he was 21, Scotts friend told Scott to join him in taking an exam for sheriff deputy position. Tracking his whereabouts to the 10th of a second, the IA agents claimed they found dozens of discrepancies in the deputy's work log. Your email address will not be published. In fact, Allen, a onetime scout sniper instructor, claims he personally flunked Montoya for cheating on two map tests. CNN-featured investigative reporter R. Scott Moxley has won Journalist of the Year honors at the Los Angeles Press Club; been named Distinguished Journalist of the Year by the LA Society of Professional Journalists; obtained one of the last exclusive prison interviews with Charles Manson disciple Susan Atkins; won inclusion in Jeffrey Toobins The Best American Crime Reportingfor his coverage of a white supremacists senseless murder of a beloved Vietnamese refugee; launched multi-year probes that resulted in the FBI arrests and convictions of the top three ranking members of the Orange County Sheriffs Department; and gained praise fromNew York Times Magazine writers for his herculean job exposing entrenched Southern California law enforcement corruption. The Black Sheep members would try to influence supervisors on ways to get around [OCSDs formal] policies. He served as a Marine Security Guard in the following countries; Djibouti, Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Albania. . But this Marine scout sniper and karate black belt who ran through enemy fire five times to rescue four seriously wounded American soldiers and an Iraqi civilian during the April 2003 Battle of Baghdad believed his greatest risk of harm wasnt from gangsters, robbers, drug dealers or an armed madman. "These things happen in the blink of a second, and an individual has to decide to be a hero or not. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. The OCSD caused or exasperated Mr. Montoyas PTSD, making him unemployable, said Ludwig. Their job was to decide if OCSD allowed a hostile work environment, and, if so, did the abusive conduct cause or exasperate the severe disability that now renders Montoya unemployable: PTSD. Leave a comment Your email address will not be published. Advertisers Want to Know! The author is an American, Christian, proud father, lucky husband, Irish Scottish heritage and a Texan by choice. But, according to Montoya, the Navy Cross honors also sparked the wrath of fellow deputies who resented his celebrity. Taking charge and deploying the Marines, Montoya noticed a vehicle caught in the crossfire with a wounded Iraqi civilian inside. He started taking Karate classes when he turned 14 and hoped that he could change his anger into a sport before he got in trouble.Scott spent hours and hours working on his skills in karate with his instructor Paul Dye. June 5, 2022 Posted by: Category: Uncategorized He and his staff arranged dozens of media and public events for the naturally shy Montoya to tell his story. Department records show that Montoya believes his trainer mocked his Iraq heroics by displaying at the OCSD Stanton station a newspaper article about two Marines who died in combat to save dozens of others from a car bomber. The Marine returned to the OCSD after his war service and asked to be transferred from jail duty to Harbor Patrolhis first choiceor Stanton. [During training], Deputy Montoya was caught crying after he found out he made some mistakes, Keller memorialized in an intra-department memorandum. At Montoyas recent civil trial inside U.S. District Court Judge Jesus G. Bernals Riverside courtroom, it was the task of Haluck, the aforementioned seasoned OCSD legal representative, to convince the six women and two men on the jury that the department did not permit a hostile work environment and that hostilities against the deputy had not been motivated in any way by his military service. Not everybody at the OCSD was cheering his celebrity. . The timestamp is only as accurate as the clock in the camera, and it may be completely wrong. "He is a complete warrior," Carona said. Two years later, he re-applied, lost his temper during a polygraph examination that uncovered he'd been improperly carrying concealed weapons on numerous occasions, failed a psychological evaluation and got rejected again. See information on Author and Book by Blake Hurdis here: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2009/07/by-blake-hurdis-editor.html, Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room Opening July 29th | The personal attacks befuddled Montoya. How did he manage to continuously receive positive employee evaluations? In 2010, department officials told Montoya that investigations revealed that you used your GRIP position as a means to meet various women and your main objective was to solicit, while on duty, as many women as possible, including at Stanton elementary schools. To Montoya, Keller mentioned the movie to make a point: They [certain fellow deputies] were not going to back me up., The thought of internal OCSD sabotage alarmed Montoya. Stephanie Trujillo. Sergeant Scott C. Montoya received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2D Battalion, 23D Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 2003. 1.3K Likes, 32 Comments. Small-arms fire rained down on the men of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. The following year, members of the cook staff at the jail complained that Montoya badger[ed] female inmates in the mess hall and tried to send a kite, a personal message, to a female inmate. Scott Fales wasn't a junior Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) when he deployed to Somalia as a member of Task Force Ranger. Travis Scott 'is set to turn himself in for questioning by NYPD after he punched sound engineer in the head': Victim describes how rapper 'flew into a rage' In one instance, a deputy mocked him by placing a giant dildo and lube jar on his work gear before a shift. During his career, he has had the privilege of policing some of the most diverse communities in this major city. I am the captain of my soul. . In other words, departments can hire unfit cops, ignore wrongdoing and keep citizens clueless about the men and women who are given deadly force, invasive investigatory and arrest powers in the state. Your email address will not be published. Sgt. Your actions are far below the standards of a person in your position. Your email address will not be published. Follow me.' 79-3); . While surreptitiously placing tiny surveillance cameras around Montoya's home and hiding GPS trackers on all of his vehicles, deputies made sure to wear bulletproof vests. **, A PATRIOTIC NURSE | God, Country, Constitution *, American Truths | Honoring The U.S. Hes not that way. During the following six years, the department secretly compiled lists of dozens of various alleged unethical acts that included befriending and aiding fugitives, prostitutes, even a child molester in Fullerton, according to court records. He suggested Montoya fabricated his complaints of a hostile work environment for the litigation, though several department supervisors testified theyd been aware of the situation as early as 2004. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and upmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Montoya reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He's asking U.S. District Court Judge Jesus G. Bernal, a Mexico native and 2012 Obama appointee following a notable public-defender career, to rule that OCSD violated the act and that he's entitled to take his case to a jury for damages. Rashun Drayton) The Santa Barbara Police Department . Mr Boadel suffered internal injuries so severe he needed to be flown to hospital in Melbourne for treatment a six-hour drive from his home town. Rossiter also noted that the veteran-loaded OCSD was honored in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Defense, which awarded the department the Freedom Award for its generous support of employees called to serve in the Armed Forces. Initially, the deputy calmly answered questions by Kyle, insisting that he always had Scottys best interests at heart. But the publicity had unintended internal OCSD consequences. | Save to del.icio.us When he arrived, he entered an open door and says he heard Deputy Tim Cullen, one of Kellers best friends in the department and reportedly a Black Sheep member, radio the dispatcher that he had arrived as backup. Orange County's Leading Source Of News, Culture And Entertainment. In November 2011, President Barack Obama strengthened the World War II-era Uniformed Service-members Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) to resolve any legal doubts that the law bans harassment of military veterans in the workplace. Please share this!!! He was assigned to the Detention Unit and has served with the sheriff's office since 1999. In December 1998, Sergeant Scott reported for duty to 3d Battalion 6th Marines located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as a Squad Leader and Guide. They claim Montoya's on-duty misconduct grew worse after his return from Iraqi War service. He risked his life to lead this Marine to safety. Through it all, Sergeant Montoya's performance was exemplary, as it always had been. Citation:For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 8 April 2003. Hoch said he directed Acting Chief Michael Ziemba on Monday to put McGowan on leave. W o guys like him, Stanton would be like s. Central los Angeles. McGowan has been placed on paid administrative leave pending review of a personnel matter," said Town Manager Jason Hoch. In February 1994, PFC Scott reported to 1st Battalion 3d Marines . After high sc They plan to appeal, a move sure to forestall the abused, ex-deputys overdue encounter with justice. They got a firsthand taste when Keller marched into the courtroom while in uniform and inadvertently helped to settle the case. Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Finds and shall find me unafraid. There was nothing [in the reports] glaring that he was failing., Quint, now the chief of the Bureau of Gambling Control in the California Attorney Generals office, vividly remembers his impression about the effort to fail Montoya, who went on to receive accolades in 2005 for not using lethal force when he could have justified shooting a suspect and, in 2006, for crawling into a burning, collapsing building to rescue a trapped man. . He is seeking financial sanctions against the department for failing to retain or purposefully destroying related Montoya records after officials had been put on notice about a potential lawsuit; Bernal last week asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert N. Block in Santa Ana to rule on the request, which OCSD protests is meritless because any missing records were innocently obliterated. Scott E. McGowan was removed from active duty this week after he was named in an employee complaint. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Sergeant Andrew David Scott was accused of beating Mallacoota man Graham Boadel in a question room at the Mallacoota police station in September 2017. Of course, none of it was true. He did not want it. He never got out of his car. Renee Montoya is a police sergeant working for the GCPD who is a frequent ally and friend to James Gordon. Montoya received the U.S. military's second-highest award at Camp Pendleton for heroism stemming from his actions on April 8, 2003, two weeks into Operation Iraqi Freedom. The lawyer claims the meeting was another example of OCSD officials violating USERRA because they used Montoya's veteran status and sniper skills as key assumptions he was dangerous, a declaration used to justify placing secret cameras at his home and GPS trackers on his vehicles, as well as monitoring his phone calls without warrants. But from the outset of Montoyas case, Haluck seemed most determined to show jurors his contempt for the ex-deputy at every opportunity. sergeant scott montoya. Between 2011 and 2016, the City of Chicago paid $280 million in settlements in police misconduct cases. Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Phone records showed Willis repeatedly in contact with the deputy while Fullerton PD anxiously hunted him. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Carona alluded to Montoya's rapid response under fire. Looms but the Horror of the shade, To defend itself in the lawsuit and also probably to inflict scarring embarrassment on Montoya, OCSD has released large portions of its usually top-secret personnel files on the deputy. Sex talk and kissing sounds were recorded, according to court records. (free, Privacy Protected), Thor @ The Conservative Cave - A Conservative Political Forum, Arkansas 4th: LtCol (Ret) Marcus Richmond, Operation Gratitude-Support Our Troops-Care Packages for Military, MILNEWS. . A protector of the community in every sense of the word. http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/ssgt-jeremiah-workman-navy-cross-usmc-iraq-marion-oh.html and links to prior articles. He is quick to say hes not perfect, but he tries to live by a personal motto learned from his mother: Service before self., Montoya claims Keller, who never joined the military, served as the alpha male leader of the Black Sheep, a gang of cantankerous, rebel deputies in Stanton. For Sgt. I wasnt able to go to social gatherings, he said. Two years after the incident, the Marines officially awarded him the Navy Cross, the second-highest Marine combat honor after the Medal of Honor. Canada: Exposing Talib Propaganda, VFW Vet Jobs: Thousands looking for Veterans as Employees, Vets4Victory.com | Dedicated to Winning the War on Terror! I was impressed by all thatand I thought, 'Wow, what a role model for this community.' Management assigned him to the north OC city known as one of the most dangerous, gang-infested regions the department polices. (Montoya) is a man of integrity and leadership, and his loyalty is unquestionable. After midnight during one 2005 shift, Montoya was dispatched to an alarm at a business warehouse in a high-crime area of Katella Avenue. Dr. Chris Johnson, a clinical neuropsychologist and an internationally recognized expert in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals whove served in elite, special operation forces such as Montoya, says the Serpico and warehouse incidents in Stanton undoubtedly scarred the de-activated Marine. Deputy John Sprague testified he witnessed Keller and Cullen giving each other high fives after hazing Montoya and laughing after someone relocated his locker next to the toilets. Inglis was killed by a drunk driver a year ago . 5 Jun. 08APR2003: Entering the third week of the war, Sgt. She and Gordon were few of the police . Haluck also dismisses the warehouse story as self-serving paranoia. I waited and waited [at the front], and he never came, so I had to clear the building by myself, said Montoya, who explained that standard procedures called for Cullen to enter the building with him. It didnt help that Carona also put Montoya at the top of the list of deputies ready to transfer from jails to patrol. These allegations brought discredit upon you and the department, the suspension, signed by then-OCSD executive Jack Anderson, asserted. He'd been a U.S. Marine sergeant who took time off from the department to go to war after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. During the 2003 Battle of Baghdad, Montoya earned the Navy Cross for repeatedly performing life-risking heroics while under enemy fire. We decided to let him stay [in scout sniper school] despite my better judgment, Allen snarled from the witness stand. This soldier grew up in southern California, without his father because his father died when Montoya was young. In coming weeks, Bernal will decide how much, if any, money should be awarded for lost future wages. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. Confidential law-enforcement investigatory files labeled Montoya as highly dangerous, emotionally unstable and, inexplicably, a sexual superman with extraordinarily large genitals and Energizer Bunny stamina. According to court records, it's not clear why the agency or IA cared, but here's an example what OCSD noted: [Redacted name of a Montoya girlfrienda 23-year-old Hispanic woman] explained Montoya is only concerned with ejaculating. He was just a humble person.. I am the master of my fate, Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents, Sergeant Scott Montoya, US Marine Corps (14023491207).jpg. Keller made a point to describe the two dead soldiers as real heroes. Joe is a former Sergeant of Marines, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of California and a member of both the American Institute of CPA's and the California Society of CPA's and holds a master's degree in Taxation. But Dr. Johnson, the Department of Defense clinical neuropsychologist who has spent hours with Montoya, testified research has established that when social support is high for a soldier or a deputy, PTSD risk is less.. Scott A. Krofcheck of Uniontown, Fayette County, was promoted and reassigned from Troop B, Uniontown to the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards. NON-EMERGENCY DISPATCH 419-255-8443. toledo.police@toledo.oh.gov. Nevertheless, resentment of Montoyas perceived preferential treatment from the sheriff, whom he met only twice, grew worse after he passed training over the objections of several high-ranking OCSD managers, including Tim Board and Dave Wilson. Scott C. Montoya rushed through enemy fire while "repeatedly exposing himself to fire-swept streets," according to his Navy Cross award citation. Pinned down, with the injured needing assistance, Sgt. This link will take you to Store 1 for books, GPS (Garmin), & Cameras: To have the Daily News in your inbox when you get up. Master Sgt. Daniel J. Redding, The Scout, MCB Camp Pendleton. A woman of her word, the Hollywood hottie. In the case of Scott Montoya, he was experiencing something he hadnt in combat: antagonism from his team on patrol [in Stanton].