San Joaquin county Settlesโฃ sexual Abuse โClaim Againstโข Former Sheriff’s Sergeant for $1.1 Million
Stockton, CA – โ San Joaquin County โขhas agreed to aโ $1.1 million settlement with a woman,โ identified in court โฃdocumentsโข as Doe, who accused former sheriff’s sergeant โฃMichael Reynolds of sexual misconduct, according to court records and reporting byโ Stocktonia. The settlement โคresolves a โคlawsuitโค alleging Reynolds sent sexually explicit images to Doe, including a video of himโ masturbating while in uniform in his โpatrol car, and made unwanted contact.
Reynolds “generally โคand โขspecifically denies the allegations,” accordingโฃ to a previously filed court response.โฃ His attorney, David R.โฃ Norton, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. โ
The settlement comes as San Joaquin County faces increasing scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct involving its employees. In february, the county approved a $950,000 settlementโ withโ Kelly โGilbert, who accused former countyโ chief investigatorโฃ Gordon โฃogden of sexual harassment andโ discrimination.
Within local law enforcement,former Stockton โpolice Sgt. Nicholas Bloed pleaded guilty in โApril to charges stemming โคfromโ accusations of โขsexual assault โand oralโ copulation whileโ on duty.โ Bloedโฃ was sentenced to eight yearsโ in prison in June.
Another lawsuit filed in โฃApril by attorney Joshua โฃH.Watson,representing both Doe and โคanotherโ plaintiff anonymizedโ as Janet Roe,accuses Reynolds of sending sexually explicit images while โin uniform and a patrol vehicle toโฃ Roe when she โwasโ 16. Watson declinedโข to comment on the settlement, โคciting respect for his client’s privacy.
As of Friday, no criminal charges have been filed against Reynolds related to the alleged misconduct, and chargingโค decisions rest with the โSan Joaquin County District Attorney’s office, according to California law.