A Kings County Sheriff's Deputy is in big trouble after his colleagues say he showed up to work drunk.More >> A former South Valley deputy is behind bars. The Kings County Sheriff's Office says 33-year-old Nick Simpson has been arrested for embezzlement and planting evidence.More >>
KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KMPH) -
A Kings County Sheriff's Deputy is on paid administrative leave, accused of driving drunk.
He is the third Kings County Deputy to be arrested in the last six months -- the second accused of driving drunk.
Investigators say Detective Chris Fernandes was off-duty when he drove his Mustang into a field in the area of Flint and 13th avenues near Hanford.
The CHP says he showed signs of being drunk. He was cited and released, but his mug shot wasn't taken.
Just over a week ago, CHP officers arrested Deputy Scott Ward on suspicion of being drunk on the job. He's also on paid administrative leave.
Another deputy, Nick Simpson, was arrested for theft and fraud in December. He pleaded guilty and is on house arrest.
In a statement, the department says, "A management staff meeting was just held to reach out to all of our personnel to ensure professionalism and high ethical standards both on duty and off. This incident will be looked into internally and the deputy will be held accountable for his actions."
