SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – The civilian head of the San Jose Police Union is facing federal charges of distributing opioids, including fentanyl.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
Joanne Segovia, 64, the executive director of the San Jose Police Officers Association, allegedly used her office to coordinate the shipments.
According to a complaint from the Office of the United States Attorney, over an eight year span Segovia allegedly had more than 60 shipments of pills sent to her home coming from Hong Kong, Hungary, India and Singapore.
The pills were then distributed across the country. Packages were declared with labels such as "wedding party favors," "gift makeup" or "chocolate and sweets."
In one case, Segovia allegedly used a POA UPS account to mail a shipment in the U.S.
"San Jose PD will now have to do its own investigation to determine whether any police resources were utilized in this drug distribution scheme," said Criminal Defense Attorney Steven Clark.
Segovia is said to have sent hundreds of encrypted WhatsApp messages to plan logistics. Investigators even interviewed Segovia in February and she allegedly still mailed Fentanyl the next month to Kentucky under a package originating from China declared as a clock.
"It's very troubling that this went undetected for so long when you think about the amount of law enforcement resources that are being utilized to rid America of fentanyl," Clark said.
If convicted, Segovia could face up to 20 years in prison.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
