FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A former Fresno Police detective appeared in court for the first time this week after being accused of betraying his badge by allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from an evidence room.
On Thursday, Rey Medeles appeared out of custody and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of grand theft and preparing false evidence. These charges were passed down from the Attorney General’s office.
Action News Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi commented on the case, calling it a clear abuse of power. “He would have to go through a procedure to get access,” Capozzi said. “So it shows sophistication and planning to get this kind of money, and only because he’s a police officer is he able to get it.”
Following an initial investigation by Fresno Police, Medeles became the subject of an FBI investigation, which ultimately led to his arrest earlier this month.
Capozzi raised concerns about how this case might affect the integrity of other investigations involving Medeles. “If this officer has taken money in this case, what has happened in the cases that he’s been on before? That he’s investigated or might’ve been a witness to?” he explained.
Additionally, two court-issued protective orders were revealed on Thursday, introducing two unnamed victims and adding new questions to the case.
Capozzi wondered what other details might remain untold. “Were there some individuals, civil individuals, unrelated to the police department, that may have been threatened, or maybe witnesses in this particular case and have shown some kind of concern?” he asked.
Action News reached out to the Attorney General’s office for an update on the two protective orders but received no response.
Medeles will remain out of custody as he awaits his next court date, scheduled for December 15.
https://abc30.com/post/former-fresno-pd-detective-accused-stealing-60k-appears-court/18063410/