California Cop Caught Stealing Thousands from Civilians, Including $3,500 from a Homeless Man, Avoids Jail — DA Says Getting Fired is Punishment Enough

A white sheriff’s deputy from California, John Sanzone, has avoided jail time despite repeatedly stealing money from vulnerable people, including $3,500 from a homeless man he arrested. Sanzone agreed to give up his peace officer certification in California, sparing himself a potential three-year prison sentence. The Glenn County District Attorney’s Office defended this outcome on Facebook, writing, “He did not walk free. He will never be a peace officer in California in his lifetime because of the criminal investigation.” Despite this, Sanzone can still become a certified officer in another state.

Sanzone’s history of misconduct extends beyond the theft of the homeless man’s dental money. According to a whistleblower lawsuit filed by Sgt. Michael Sears, a Black police officer, Sanzone stole from multiple people during his decade at the Oroville Police Department and mishandled evidence and contraband. Sears’ lawsuit, which accused the Oroville Police Department of racism and retaliation, also revealed that Sanzone had refused to respond to about 80 calls for help in a four-month period. “Sergeant Sears was aware that this was at least the fourth unrelated citizen with mental health and or criminal history who had alleged Sanzone had, stolen money from them,” the complaint stated.

Sanzone left the Oroville Police Department in December 2021, either by firing or forced resignation, and joined the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office. But his misconduct followed him: he was fired in September 2022 after the $3,500 theft came to light and was later arrested in May 2023. Online commenters expressed outrage, with Faylene Jarman writing, “Seems like there’s a pattern here. Glenn County shouldn’t have even hired him!” and Corrine Green adding, “Just shows the actual level of corruption in this county when a cop steals from a homeless man and walks free.”

The Yale Law Journal report “The Wandering Cop” from 2020 points out the troubling reality: “A significant problem with state-by-state certification is that an officer decertified in one state can move across state lines and obtain certification, and then employment, in another.”

Link: Atlanta Black Star