WARRANT ISSUED FOR FORMER POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING CLIENTS BY STEALING PAYMENT FOR UNPERFORMED, UNLICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WORK

For Immediate Release
Case # 10CF1569

 


June 29, 2010

 

WARRANT ISSUED FOR FORMER POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING CLIENTS BY STEALING PAYMENT FOR UNPERFORMED, UNLICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WORK

*Defendant also charged with conspiracy for soliciting women on Craigslist to commit bestiality with his dog

 

SANTA ANA – A warrant has been issued for a former police officer who failed to appear in court yesterday on charges of defrauding his clients while working as a private investigator. He has also been charged with engaging in a conspiracy to commit the crime of sexual assault of an animal by posting ads on Craigslist to have women engage in bestiality with his dog.

 

Kevin Michael Sianez, 53, Fountain Valley, was charged June 25, 2010, in a 63-count criminal complaint. His felony charges include 20 counts of grand theft by false pretense, 12 counts of fraudulently using an access card, two counts of second degree commercial burglary, five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from a 1998 conviction for stalking, four counts of theft with a prior conviction for the same crime in 1999, four counts of obtaining electricity services through false representation, and one count each of identity theft, perjury by declaration, computer access and fraud, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.

 

The misdemeanor charges against Sianez include three counts of conspiracy to commit sexual assault upon an animal, two counts of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, three counts of obtaining electricity services through false representation, and one count each of criminal threats, unlawful representation as a private investigator, engaging in the business of private investigation, and doing business without a valid license. He faces sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000 and property damage over $65,000.

 

If convicted, Sianez faces a maximum sentence of 38 years in state prison. He was arrested June 24, 2010, by Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Investigators, but was transported to Western Medical Center after claiming to be suffering from a heart condition. Sianez failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment yesterday, June 28, 2010. He was ordered, through his attorney, to appear at 8:30 a.m. this morning, June 29, 2010, but again failed to do so. A $500,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest by the Honorable Erick Larsh.

 

Circumstances of the Case

The defendant worked as a police officer between 1979 and 1986 for the Santa Ana and Stanton Police Departments. The Stanton Police Department no longer exists.

 

Between November 2005 and June 2010, Sianez is accused of owning and illegally operating private investigation services without a license under the names KMS Investigations, Fore-Front Investigations, and 4Front Investigations. Business and Professions Code 7523 requires proper licensing through the California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Security and Investigative Services to operate as a private investigator. The defendant is accused of falsely identifying himself as a licensed private investigator.