Deputies Charge Their Co-Workers Plant Evidence

Two sheriff’s deputies have accused their co-workers of routinely planting evidence on black and Hispanic suspects, an accusation that the sheriff said Wednesday was being investigated.

“It’s happening every day,” said Deputy Michael G. Osborne, who is on paid leave for stress disability.

The allegations were made Tuesday by Osborne and his wife, Aurora Alonso Mellado, a five-year deputy who resigned last week. She claimed she was harassed and forced out after she accused her training officer, Deputy Jeffrey Jones, of planting narcotics on suspects.

The couple filed a legal claim against the county sheriff’s department. Such claims, if rejected by the county, are generally followed by lawsuits.

Mellado said she was asked to write false reports on two suspects and regularly saw evidence planted during seven weeks of patrol training.