| For Immediate Release Case # 07CF4145 December 26, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
CHP OFFICER CHARGED WITH BREAKING INTO EVIDENCE ROOM AND POSSESSING LARGE
AMOUNT OF COCAINE
SANTA ANA – Today, the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) charged a California Highway Patrol officer of burglary, possession for sale of cocaine, and transportation of cocaine. Joshua Blackburn, 32, of Murrieta, a 6-year veteran of CHP, is being held on $4 million bail at the Orange County Jail. The defendant will be required to prove that the bail money is from a legitimate source before he may post bail. The defendant made his first court appearance through a video feed and continued the arraignment to January 9, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., in C-55, at the Central Justice Center, in Santa Ana.
On December 21, 2007 at about 4 a.m., officials at the CHP office in Santa Ana discovered a break in their evidence locker room. There were signs of forced entry. CHP immediately notified Santa Ana Police who asked OCDA to head the investigation. The CHP is continuing to fully cooperate in the investigation. The stolen cocaine was in the possession of the CHP as evidence involving another incident in which two suspects were arrested. The original case involving the cocaine is still pending.
During the early morning hours of December 21, 2007, Blackburn is accused of breaking into the evidence room, taking the cocaine, and hiding it. OCDA investigators have recovered all of the stolen cocaine, which had a wholesale value of $1 million.
The OCDA is continuing to investigate the case. Assistant District Attorney Walt Schwarm of the Major Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.
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