Former Sargent Kevin Murray’s Charges For Sexual Assault, Drug Possession & More Cost The City Over $3 Million

The Ukiah Police Department continues to grapple with the fallout of former Sgt. Kevin Murray’s misconduct, a saga that has cost the city over $3 million and severely eroded community trust. Murray faced a series of disturbing allegations, including sexual assault, drug possession, and physical violence.

One incident includes a terrifying encounter at a Ukiah Super 8 Motel, where former officer Kevin Murray allegedly shut off his body camera, entered a woman’s room without permission, and later sent explicit texts using a spoofed number. The woman, S.Y., barricaded her door and later received a $250,000 settlement. In another case, Murray was charged with the off-duty rape of Corinne Johnson, who says she came forward after seeing media reports about his continued abuse.

Murray ultimately pleaded no contest to witness intimidation and false imprisonment, receiving two years of probation. Sonoma County Probation Officer Spencer Misetich called his actions “abhorrent” and marked by “criminal sophistication,” yet due to plea constraints, no prison time was imposed.

The criminal courts’ light punishment led victims to pursue civil cases. One settlement paid $1.05 million to Gulf War veteran Christopher Rasku, who was beaten by Murray during an illegal home entry. Another woman, referred to as S.Y., received $250,000 after Murray allegedly stalked and sexually harassed her at a Super 8 Motel. Her attorney, Panos Lagos, said he took the case “because of the egregiousness of what I heard.” Former officer Isabel Siderakis received $1.75 million after alleging sexual assault and workplace retaliation, and Corinne Johnson won a $1 million default judgment for a 2014 rape allegation.

Defense attorney Chris Andrian claimed the plea deal was based on weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, saying, “We look at cases, not at community outcry.” He also admitted that some agencies “turn their cheek” to problematic employees to avoid legal risk, suggesting Murray remained on the force longer than he should have.

Over a year after securing what many called a “sweetheart plea deal,” Murray had his peace officer certification revoked. Though he initially faced seven felonies, including forcible rape and burglary, probation officials recommended just one year in prison, citing “criminal sophistication.” Instead, Murray pled no contest to a lesser charge and received two years of probation with a suspended prison sentence.

The department is now under new leadership, with Chief Thomas Corning becoming the third chief in four years. His predecessors also faced serious misconduct allegations. Corning emphasized changes to rebuild trust, including mandatory body camera use during all public interactions and outsourcing internal investigations to agencies outside the county. “You just constantly keep hearing about this guy,” Corning said of Murray’s lingering reputation. “It can weigh on you.”

While the department aims to restore credibility, Corning admitted the challenge ahead: “All it takes is one or two guys to ruin that reputation with the community.” Regardless, Kevin Murray’s abuse of power wasn’t an isolated event—it was years of unchecked violence that devastated lives and exposed the deep rot inside the Ukiah Police Department.

Link: SF Gate