The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is facing difficult questions after investigators arrested a 34-year veteran of the department on four felony charges, alleging he stole property from the very evidence and property storage unit where he worked—a facility that handles sensitive materials for law enforcement operations across the entire county, including Walnut Creek.
Kevin Lee, 62, of Martinez, was taken into custody Thursday following what Sheriff David Livingston described as an immediate internal investigation launched once the office uncovered evidence of criminal conduct. The arrest has already triggered calls for external oversight of the unit, and it arrives during a season of heightened scrutiny for Contra Costa County agencies.
The Charges and the Investigation
Detectives within the Sheriff’s Office secured both search and arrest warrants during the course of their investigation before taking Lee into custody, according to an official statement. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on four felony counts: burglary, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, and possession of an assault weapon. Lee is being held in lieu of $160,000 bail.
The combination of charges tells a layered story. Burglary and receiving stolen property suggest the physical taking and retention of items that did not belong to him. The embezzlement charge indicates investigators believe Lee misappropriated property entrusted to him in his official capacity—a distinction that carries particular weight given his role inside the Property Services Unit. The assault weapon charge, while standing apart from the theft allegations, adds a significant public safety dimension to the case.
Lee joined the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff in May 1990, according to department records. Over three decades later, in 2012, he transitioned to a Temporary Deputy Sheriff (Per-Diem) role and remained assigned to the Property Services Unit in Concord—the same unit at the center of the criminal investigation.
The Sheriff’s Response
Sheriff Livingston, who leads the largest law enforcement agency in Contra Costa County, issued a direct statement that sought to balance accountability with reassurance: “All Sheriff’s Office employees are held to the highest standards, and any employee who is involved in criminal conduct will be held accountable. This matter was taken seriously, and a thorough investigation was immediately launched once we learned about it.”
Beyond the criminal prosecution, the Sheriff’s Office announced it will formally request that the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) conduct an independent audit of the Property Services Unit. POST audits are uncommon and typically reserved for situations where systemic vulnerabilities are suspected rather than isolated misconduct. The decision to voluntarily invite outside scrutiny suggests the department is treating this as more than a single bad actor problem.
For Walnut Creek residents, the audit request carries practical implications. The Property Services Unit handles evidence and seized property for cases investigated by the Sheriff’s Office across the entire county. A POST audit typically examines chain-of-custody procedures, evidence handling protocols, inventory controls, and access logs. If the audit finds procedural gaps, it could affect active and adjudicated cases in multiple jurisdictions.
The Property Services Unit is responsible for storing, cataloging, and maintaining evidence collected during criminal investigations, property seized under warrant, and items held for safekeeping. It handles everything from firearms and vehicles to personal effects, narcotics, and cash—making chain-of-custody documentation and internal controls critically important. The Concord facility serves the entire county, processing evidence for cases originating in cities including Walnut Creek, Concord, Martinez, and unincorporated Contra Costa areas.
A Pattern of Accountability Questions Across the County
Lee’s arrest is the latest in a series of high-profile accountability actions involving Contra Costa County law enforcement and public officials. Earlier this month, the FBI raided the office of former Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer following years of investigations, lawsuits, and political controversy. A Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report released this week also found significant shortcomings in the county’s Internal Audit Division, concluding that the department does not comply with professional auditing standards required for government financial oversight.
Taken together, the three developments—an FBI raid targeting a former elected official, a grand jury report flagging audit failures, and a felony arrest inside the Sheriff’s Office—raise a pointed question: are internal oversight mechanisms across county agencies working? The Sheriff’s Office’s decision to seek an external POST audit signals, at minimum, an acknowledgment that internal mechanisms alone may not be sufficient to restore public trust.
| Charge | Classification | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Burglary (PC 459) | Felony | Entering a structure with intent to commit theft or a felony |
| Receiving Stolen Property (PC 496) | Felony | Possessing property known to be stolen |
| Embezzlement (PC 503) | Felony | Fraudulently taking property entrusted to one’s care |
| Possession of Assault Weapon (PC 30605) | Felony | Illegal possession of a firearm classified as an assault weapon under California law |
What It Means for Walnut Creek
While the alleged crimes occurred in Concord, the ripple effects extend across Contra Costa County. The Sheriff’s Office provides contract law enforcement services for several cities and unincorporated areas, and its Property Services Unit handles evidence for criminal cases across all jurisdictions. Walnut Creek residents with active cases involving evidence held by the Sheriff’s Office should monitor developments as the POST audit moves forward.
The Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details about the scope of the alleged thefts, the timeline of the misconduct, or whether any pending criminal cases may be affected by compromised evidence handling. The investigation remains active.
As of Thursday evening, Lee remained in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. No court date has been announced. Bail is set at $160,000.
For more information, visit the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office or the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
