San Jose police union executive charged with trying to import, distribute valeryl fentanyl and other opioids
SAN JOSE -- The executive director of the San Jose Police Officers' Association (SJPOA) has been charged with attempting to illegally import valeryl fentanyl, an analog of fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids into the U.S. for mass distribution.
A federal criminal complaint was filed charging 64-year-old San Jose resident Joanne Marian Segovia with attempting to "illegally import a controlled substance in connection with a scheme to bring synthetic opioids into the country and distribute them throughout the United States." The criminal complaint was filed by U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King on March 27 and unsealed Thursday.
According to the complaint, "Segovia used her personal and office computers to order thousands of opioid and other pills to her home and agreed to distribute the drugs elsewhere in the United States."
Joanne Segovia complaint:
The complaint alleges that between October 2015 and January of this year, Segovia had at least 61 shipments mailed to her home. Countries of origin included Hong Kong, Hungary, India, and Singapore. The manifests for these shipments declared the contents of the packages with labels like "Wedding Party Favors," "Gift Makeup," or "Chocolate and Sweets." However, between July 2019 and last January, officials intercepted and opened five of these shipments and found that they contained thousands of pills of controlled substances, including the synthetic opioids Tramadol and Tapentadol, which are similar to fentanyl. The complaint stated certain packages were valued at thousands of dollars worth of drugs.
The complaint also alleged that Segovia communicated using encrypted WhatsApp messages to plan the logistics for receiving and sending pill shipments and used her office at the San Jose Police Officers' Association to distribute controlled substances and even used the SJPOA's UPS account for a shipment. According to the complaint, Segovia continued to order controlled substances even after being interviewed by federal investigators last month. Just over two weeks ago on March 13, federal agents seized a parcel in Kentucky containing valeryl fentanyl addressed to Segovia. The package allegedly originated from China on March 10, 2023, and declared its contents as a "clock."
Segovia is charged with attempting to unlawfully import valeryl fentanyl and faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years if convicted. In addition, the court may order a convicted defendant to serve at least 3 years of supervised release and to pay a fine of up to $250,000.
Tom Saggau, a spokesperson for the San Jose POA provided the following statement after charges were filed against Segovia:
"Last Friday we were informed by federal authorities that one of our civilian employees was under investigation for distribution of a controlled substance and the POA has been fully and completely cooperating with the federal authorities as they continue their investigation. The POA immediately placed the civilian employee on leave and as is standard procedure cut off all access to the POA. No additional individual at the POA is involved or had prior knowledge of the alleged acts. The Board of Directors is saddened and disappointed at hearing this news and we have pledged to provide our full support to the investigative authorities."
