In a turn of events that casts a shadow on the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Cameron Romo has been arrested and charged with extortion and soliciting a bribe following a lengthy investigation into on-duty criminal conduct. According to a press release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, Romo's alleged misdemeanors came to light in June 2024 after a citizen complaint prompted an inquiry led by the department's Specialized Investigations Division. The investigators unravelled several crimes committed by Romo while serving as a deputy at the Hesperia Station, as noted in their official report.
An immediate consequence for the deputy after the complaint was an administrative leave, pending the investigation outcomes. The discoveries of the investigating team, which included multiple criminal acts, were subsequently forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. This led to an arrest warrant issued on August 4, and Romo's arrest the following morning, with the bail set at $90,000. As reported by KTLA, Romo joined the Sheriff’s Department in September 2020 and was stationed at Hesperia from August 2021.
In a statement obtained by the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff-Coroner Shannon Dicus addressed the incident, saying, "This is unfortunate that a Deputy Sheriff would engage in this type of behavior. I am proud of all the investigators involved in bringing this case to the District Attorney’s Office so he can be held accountable." The department stresses that the investigation remains active and urges individuals with information pertaining to the case to reach out to Detective Antonio Alcala from the Specialized Investigations Division.
This case marks a troubling instance of misconduct within a law enforcement agency entrusted to uphold the law. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is now tasked not only with the continuing criminal investigation but also with restoring public trust in their ranks. Details are still evolving, and the department encourages anonymous tips through We-Tip or by calling directly to the investigative team directly as the pursuit of justice presses forward.
