Lompoc Police Sergeant Arrested

Another member of the Lompoc Police Department is in trouble with the law. A police sergeant was arrested last Friday after a dispute at his home.

It’s dj vu for Lompoc Police. In the early morning hours last Friday, Sgt. Joseph Stetz was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats and felony vandalism following a dispute at his home outside of Lompoc city limits. The vandalism involved a vehicle at his home, but no further information was released. Sgt. Stetz was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $50,000, which he posted later that day. Lompoc Police Chief Larry Ralston says Sgt. Stetz has been placed on paid administrative leave. That’ll remain until an internal investigation is completed.

This comes just months after Lompoc Police Officer David Garcia was arrested for drunk driving while off-duty. Chief Ralston declined an on-camera interview, but said the two recent arrests are “disappointing”.

Officer Garcia is expected to return to duty tomorrow.