Married San Diego Police Officers Arrested for Allegedly Selling Drugs

A pair of married veteran police officers were facing a slew of drug-related charges today in yet another scandal to hit the San Diego Police Department this year.

Bryce Charpentier, 32, and his 41-year-old wife, Jennifer, were taken into custody late Thursday morning in the East County and 4S Ranch, respectively, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, which said the arrests stemmed from a long-running task force investigation.

Each was arrested without incident on suspicion of conspiracy and sales, possession and transportation of a controlled substance. Bryce Charpentier also was expected to face a charge of being under the influence while in possession of a loaded firearm, sheriff's officials said.

Upon being notified of the arrests, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman placed both of the suspects on leave and revoked their police powers.

Bryce Charpentier is a six-year member of the department who works out of the Mid-City Division. Jennifer Charpentier has been with the agency for 18 years and is assigned to the Western Division.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell told reporters that though the arrests stemmed from a long-running task force investigation, the Charpentiers were not identified as suspects until the past week. No further details about the investigation were immediately released.

The San Diego Police Department has been struck with several officer misconduct cases since earlier this year, including ones involving alleged domestic violence and alleged sexual assaults against female suspects.

In late April and early May, Officer Gilbert Lorenzo, 31, was arrested twice on suspicion of assaulting his wife. Prosecutors declined to filed charges in either case, saying after a thorough review, they did not believe they could prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Two months earlier, Officer Christopher Hays, 30, was charged with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor sexual battery in connection with his detention of several women. He resigned from the department the next day. He is currently awaiting trial.

Also in February, a woman alleged that Officer Donald Moncrief, 39, groped her and exposed himself after arresting her last year. Moncrief, who has since left the department, was not charged in the case and has filed a claim against the city.

On Feb. 22, Detective Karen Almos, 47, was arrested on suspicion of DUI after being found passed out in a parked car in Balboa Park. She later pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay a fine of about $2,100.

—City News Service