DATE: December 8, 2023

CASE: Hector Chavez (Case #23FE013583)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Johnson, Special Investigations Unit

On December 7, 2023, former Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Chavez pled no contest to felony illegal possession of an assault weapon and misdemeanor impersonating a peace officer.

On April 15, 2023, Chavez entered The Home Depot in Elk Grove and took merchandise without paying. A loss prevention officer confronted Chavez and Chavez fled on foot. When Elk Grove police officers later detained Chavez, they found him with the merchandise. As a result, Chavez was suspended from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office and his law enforcement powers were revoked.  Over the next five months, Chavez used an old Sheriff’s Office Identification Card to purchase multiple firearms, which only law enforcement officers are lawfully allowed to possess.  On August 25, 2023, Sacramento sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Chavez’s residence and found multiple firearms that had been converted to assault weapons.

Chavez is expected to be sentenced to a Court offer of 180 days and probation. Sentencing is set for December 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 61 before the Honorable Deborah Lobre.