Deputy Put On Leave After His Loaded Gun Is Found In Tahoe

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy has been placed on paid leave after his badge and personal gun were found in a South Lake Tahoe rental property over the weekend, a sheriff's spokesperson said Monday.

Sheriff's spokesperson Sgt. Michael Low provided a statement by sheriff's officials that said, "The Sheriff's Office was made aware of the incident Friday night" and sheriff's officials are working with South Lake Tahoe police to find out exactly what happened.

The gun was found by a 9-year-old Hayward boy who was staying in the AirBNB rental with his family. Jon Segarra said his son Josh found the loaded Ruger .380 pistol in a bedroom drawer while looking for games to play. Segarra called police.

An internal investigation has been launched by the sheriff's department who said, "Most importantly, we are thankful no one was hurt as a result of this incident."

Low said the gun found in the property was not the gun issued to the deputy by the sheriff's office. The deputy will be on leave while an investigation is conducted.

Low said the deputy's name is not being released now.

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story