The far-reaching FBI probe into alleged criminal activities by Antioch and Pittsburg police officers has now expanded its scope to include a cop from Oakland's housing authority, raising questions about just how far the scandal might spread. A recent article by the Mercury News revealed that Oakland Housing Authority Officer Brauli Rodriguez-Jalapa, a former Pittsburg police officer, is currently under investigation for suspected crimes that include drug use, drug distribution, and participation in a fraudulent college-degree scheme aimed at obtaining pay bumps.

Rodriguez-Jalapa was placed on paid administrative leave last year when the FBI and Contra Costa District Attorney began investigating more than a dozen current and former East Contra Costa officers for a range of alleged crimes spanning from civil rights violations to involvement in criminal conspiracies. At present, Rodriguez-Jalapa remains on leave pending the outcome of the probe.

This new revelation raises concerns about the possible extent of the scandal stretching into neighboring Alameda County, where several of the implicated officers had worked before moving to East Contra Costa. So far, federal and Contra Costa County prosecutors have dismissed numerous criminal charges and convictions that had relied on the testimony of officers deemed untrustworthy by the court.

In early 2022, Contra Costa's presiding judge authorized the FBI to seize Rodriguez-Jalapa's cellphone in connection with the investigation, as described in court records. Public records indicate that Rodriguez-Jalapa joined the Oakland Housing Authority police department in 2014 but subsequently moved to the Pittsburg police force in October 2017. However, he left the department seven months later and returned to his prior employer.

As investigators continue to examine the extent of the alleged misconduct, the focus on Rodriguez-Jalapa marks yet another officer identified by the news organization as under FBI investigation. The probe, according to sources familiar with the matter, began when allegations of officers conspiring to fraudulently obtain college degrees emerged, sparking a quick snowball effect as investigators uncovered additional potential crimes.

Among the East Contra Costa officers under investigation for their involvement in the fraudulent degree scheme are Patrick Berhan and Ernesto Mejia of the Pittsburg Police Department. Following allegations, both officers wrote personal checks to the city of Pittsburg, amounting to $25,000 and $9,459 respectively, without admitting to any wrongdoing to avoid the "perception" of unlawfully acquired incentive pay. They subsequently left the department after the allegations surfaced.

Beyond the degree fraud scheme, several Antioch officers are under investigation for suspected civil rights violations, some of which are tied to K9 attacks. Other allegations include falsifying reports, accepting bribes to quash traffic tickets, and involvement in criminal conspiracies. In one case, former Pittsburg officer Armando Montalvo has been charged with illegal possession and sale of assault rifles.

In March 2022, the FBI obtained search warrants to seize cellphones belonging to 16 East Contra Costa officers. From these devices, authorities discovered dozens of officers exchanging racist, homophobic, and sexist text messages, with some making light of injuring Black individuals during arrests.

As the investigation continues, the evolving story sheds light on not only the potential depth of misconduct within East Contra Costa's law enforcement community, but also raises questions about the potential impact on neighboring Alameda County. For now, with the probe ongoing, Oakland Housing Authority Officer Brauli Rodriguez-Jalapa's situation serves as a reminder of the widening scope and the unfortunate victims caught in the crosshairs of this unfolding scandal.