Joanne Segovia: California police union leader charged with importing opioids blamed her housekeeper
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: Joanne Segovia, a California police union executive, is facing charges of attempting illegal import of valeryl fentanyl. As per the Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, she is accused of using both her personal and work computers to buy opioids and other related pills. The transaction was made between October 2015 and January 2023 and is set to be distributed all over the US. The office alleges that at least 61 shipments were mailed to her home from cities around the world, including Hungary, Hong Kong, India, and Singapore.
The investigative team found five packages titled ‘Wedding Party Favors,’ ‘Gift Makeup,’ or ‘Chocolate and Sweets,’ to avoid getting seized, however, they were intercepted between July 2019 and January 2023. The authorities found that the packages contained synthetic opioids such as Tramadol and Tapentadol, while some other parcels were valued at thousands of dollars. "Last Friday, we were informed by federal authorities that one of our civilian employees was under investigation for distribution of a controlled substance and the POA has been fully and completely cooperating with the federal authorities as they continue their investigation," said Tom Saggau, a spokesperson for the San Jose Police Officers' Association.
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'The Board of Directors is saddened and disappointed'
He told People, "The POA immediately placed the civilian employee on leave and as is standard procedure cut off all access to the POA. No additional individual at the POA is involved or had prior knowledge of the alleged acts. The Board of Directors is saddened and disappointed at hearing this news and we have pledged to provide our full support to the investigative authorities."
'It all leads to her'
In an interview on March 14, Segovia alleged that it was her family friend and housekeeper who is responsible for all these unlawful orders. She added, "It all leads to her," claiming that the person was going through a substance abuse disorder. If found guilty, Segovia can face a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years. As per the Attorney's Office, it could be a potential 3 years of supervised release and up to $250,000 in fines.