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Former San Joaquin sheriff arrested on suspicion of felony DUI after car accident

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Saturday, December 1, 2007 7:08 AM PST

Comments (43 comment(s))

Former San Joaquin County Sheriff Baxter Dunn was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol during a car crash, a felony because someone was injured, officials said.


Baxter Dunn

Dunn was booked and had his photo taken at the same jail that he once oversaw. He retired on the same day in January 2005 that he pleaded guilty in connection with a public corruption scandal,

He is still on federal supervised release from that conviction, which means that he could face federal prison time, aside from any punishment if convicted on the new allegations.

"He's got problems. The government's going to be unhappy with him," said defense attorney Mark Reichel, who spent 13 years as a federal defender before going into private work.

Dunn spent six months in a low-security prison but Reichel, who is not involved in the case, said Dunn could wind up facing much more time in prison as a result of Thursday's arrest.

Dunn, 60, of Manteca, was driving east on Highway 120 in Manteca around 10:10 p.m. Thursday in the fast lane when traffic slowed, California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Adrian Quintero said.

Dunn, who was driving at about 65 to 70 mph, moved to the right lane to pass traffic and then rear-ended a 1979 International two-axle flatbed truck belonging to a Manteca sign company, Quintero said.

Dunn's silver 2006 Chrysler 300 received major front-end damage and the airbags deployed. He was not injured, Quintero said.

The other driver, Jorge Albert Becerra, 32, of Ceres, had abdominal and back pain, and he was taken by ambulance to Doctors Hospital in Manteca, Quintero said. By Friday evening Becerra was no longer hospitalized.

Both Becerra and Dunn were wearing seat belts.

Dunn, whose full name is Temple Baxter Dunn Jr., cooperated with officers at the scene, Quintero said.

"He'd been drinking so he was evaluated for DUI," Quintero said. "He was very cooperative and complied with officers' commands."

CHP guidelines do not allow Quintero to release Dunn's blood-alcohol content level, but Quintero said it was over California's legal driving limit of 0.08 percent.

Officers handcuffed Dunn and took him to the county jail in French Camp, where he was booked at 12:43 a.m.

Dunn, who still receives his pension of roughly $130,000, soon posted $50,000 bail and was released from custody. Jail records show that he is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 10 in Manteca.

He could not be reached for comment.

Dunn pleaded guilty Jan. 13, 2005, to mail fraud in the corruption case that brought down several other public figures. That June he began serving a six-month sentence in a low-security prison in Taft and then spent six months on house arrest after taking a plea deal.

He retired the same day he pleaded guilty and kept his pension, leading lawmakers to subsequently pass a bill that prevents future public officials from collecting their retirement if convicted of a crime related to their position.

Dunn and others were accused of using their positions to influence people in money-making schemes. Others convicted in the case were former county Supervisor Lynn Bedford; his aide, J. Tyler Reeves; attorney and state criminal justice planner N. Allen Sawyer; and Monte McFall, a former marshal who took his case to trial and is now serving a 10-year prison term.

After Dunn was released from prison in December 2006, he began three years of supervised release, which is similar to the state system of probation.

As part of that release, a federal judge ordered Dunn not to commit any other crime.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

dragonfaire wrote on Dec 7, 2007 9:39 PM:

" Every cop knows the result of driving under the influence. They have cleaned up so much carnage. Of course, by now, we all know. Yet so many believe they have the right to drive drunk, tailgate, and terrorize others with their agressive driving. They only cry when it hits them in the pocketbook or when their liberty is curtailed. A car is a fallible machine, driven by a person who needs 100% of their faculties and attention to the task. "

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Brian wrote on Dec 7, 2007 7:52 AM:

" I'm not privy too all the facts that led up to the investigation of Baxter Dunn. However, given the current situation he is in, perhaps an extended stay in Tent City here in Phoenix with the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio in command may set him straight. I'd just love to see him in the standard issue pink underwear and striped outerwear us Phoenicians have grown akin to seeing when the chaingangs are out cleaning up the roadsides. "

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Lodian wrote on Dec 6, 2007 3:59 PM:

" Lodian (11:25am): Did you know Baxter Dunn well? "

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JustWondering wrote on Dec 6, 2007 11:49 AM:

" Wondering if the posters here have the same caustic opinion about their new Mayor JoAnne Mounce? "

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Teri F wrote on Dec 6, 2007 10:00 AM:

" Well well well, surprise surprise another law enforcement officer acting out! The only real surprise is that the cop that ticketed him didnt try to sugar coat the outlaw! "

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Lodian wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:25 AM:

" Gee, I really liked Baxter Dunn too! "

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Lodi Living wrote on Dec 4, 2007 3:24 PM:

" No excuse, He knows about programs that can help him with the drinking problem, I'm sure nothing will happen to him. What a joke.Every police dept keeps this kind of stuff quite. I'm sure he was treated like a king. "

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To Dunn Supporters wrote on Dec 4, 2007 8:33 AM:

" The Sheriff's Office is an environment of sworn secrecy of it's unethical practices or fear the wrath of the Sheriff's retaliation. Dunn created the environment as a corrupt leader many years ago. It continues to this day with this current Administration. "

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alotta 20 june wrote on Dec 4, 2007 6:45 AM:

" I am glad he did good for yrs good for him and good for stockton. oh boy oh boy now get to the fact he is a drunk he belongs behind bars like everyone else who get DUI I care about my family and friends and have lost many to idiot drunk drivers I am ashamed I like this man so much when he was head of the SD...drink at home that easy isn't it............. "

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To: Dunn Supporters wrote on Dec 3, 2007 8:14 PM:

" Dunn was always a corrupt Law Enforcement Officer. He was exposed may years prior to his last election by an election opponent. No one believed the Opponent. He did not turn bad over night. He had unethical standards for himself and his cronies and then held others accountable for the same behaviors. He was a hypocrite. But as usual the truth finally came out. "

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T & C wrote on Dec 3, 2007 6:03 PM:

" How many rides home did chief Hansen give in his 10 years or so? I don't remember one dignitary or gob EVER being arrested or even detained in my 20+ years in Lodi. The new chief is no different. It's the blue law. "

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TO: to three strikes wrote on Dec 3, 2007 5:04 PM:

" You are right, Dunn should be treated like any Felony Parolee arrested for Felony DUI with Injury in accordance with Federal Sentencing guidelines which is 4 - 10 months in Federal Prison. That is the law and he is not above it! "

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To three strikes wrote on Dec 3, 2007 3:25 PM:

" Whose lives did he try to destroy? I am not a Dunn fan or foe, but it seems he did quite a bit for this county. This was poor judgement (again), nothing more. Doesn't unravel all of the good things he accomplished throughout his tenure. He should be treated the same as anyone charged with DUI. "

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Waterloo wrote on Dec 3, 2007 4:33 AM:

" The CHP should have given him a break and let him go...after all, he helped start the STARS program. "

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three strikes and wrote on Dec 2, 2007 8:59 PM:

" you're out. Dunn is a criminal who tried to destroy people's lives to resurrect his own rotten reputation. One more booboo and you're out. "

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OneTin Soldier wrote on Dec 2, 2007 8:33 PM:

" I slept better at night when Dunn was Sheriff... so he made a couple (big)mistakes who hasn't,,, that didnt have anything to do with him keeping the goblins off the street.. we need a sheriff that is not afraid to spray a bad guy off a tax payers roof with a fire hose.. God bless Bater Dunn for keeping me safe all those years!!!!! and God bless Dog Chapman! "

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Onlythe truth wrote on Dec 2, 2007 7:49 PM:

" I know that the CHP was the arresting agency, that does not preclude law enforcement agencies working together from placing a "Parole Hold" making Dunn ineligible for release on bail. Dunn is a Felon arrested for Felony DUI with Injury, disgracing honest decent peace officers attempting to preform their duties with integrity. He should have been treated as a threat to the community. The current Sheriff on his own demonstrates his incompetance and unethical administrative practices. "

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onlythetruth wrote on Dec 2, 2007 7:43 PM:

" I know that the CHP was the arresting agency, that does not preclude law enforcement agencies working together from placing a "Parole Hold" making Dunn ineligible for release on bail. Dunn is a Felon arrested for Felony DUI with Injury, disgracing honest decent peace officers attempting to preform their duties with integrity. He should have been treated as a threat to the community. The current Sheriff on his own demonstrates his incompetance and unethical administrative practices. "

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Another Concerned and Caring Citizen wrote on Dec 2, 2007 5:59 PM:

" Although Sheriff Dunn has shown a disregard for his behavior, he has lead a great carrer until his last few years. The public is quick to shoot but not quick to forgive. Dunn had given a great deal amount of time the law enforcement and the community. The man needs help and prison is not going to stop the man from drinking alcohol. "

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To Wise One wrote on Dec 2, 2007 3:27 PM:

" Too many people like you think of a DUI as just another "oopsie" traffic ticket. DUI kills. I was in a fatal collision caused by a drunk driver. He drove on the wrong side of the road. That's not just an "oopsie". Mr. Dunn rear-ended a truck and injured a man. Did you forget that part? It was only by the grace of God that he wasn't injured more severely or killed. I hope the injured man sues and wins a portion of that pension you think Mr. Dunn deserves. "

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cmd wrote on Dec 2, 2007 11:07 AM:

" to onlythetruth: read the article again. he was taken in by the CHP not the sheriff's department. sounds like you have a grudge against the current sheriff and are looking to just smear him when you can. "

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cmd wrote on Dec 2, 2007 11:02 AM:

" wtf: no, it could not have been grandfathered in. that would be taking his pension without due process and punshing him with a law that was passed after he committed his crime - can't do that. that's one reason the crime shows that convict someone 30 years later, have to go back in the books to see what the law was when the crime was committed. laws provide notice of what is illegal & you cannot change it and try to retroactively penalize people. "

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Onlythetruth wrote on Dec 2, 2007 9:02 AM:

" There were other options that the Sheriff's Office could have used to keep Dunn in custody. They could have called Federal Probation/Parole and requested that a "Parole Hold" be placed on him and he would not have been eligible to be released on bail. Again, preferential treatment from Sheriff Moore for Dunn. "

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angry wrote on Dec 2, 2007 2:22 AM:

" This man could have killed any one of us. Throw the book at him! "

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to wtf @ 10:37 AM wrote on Dec 2, 2007 2:21 AM:

" That would be awesome. "

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to wise one wrote on Dec 2, 2007 2:18 AM:

" Wake up! Drunk driving is extremely close to murder. It could be your life that's taken the next time the drunk drives home. THINK! "

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?? wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:54 PM:

" From the article: 'As part of that release, a federal judge ordered Dunn not to commit any other crime.' So what happens now? Back to prison? I hope so. "

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Cogito wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:41 PM:

" Hey, nice mug shot. Looks like he had the same photographer as Nick Nolte and Glen Campbell! Way to make your family proud ex-copper. "

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wise one wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:41 PM:

" to "oh"....last I checked his crime was not even in the same class as murder. "

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wise one wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:39 PM:

" Come on....He screwed up, he got a DUI very wrong. Of course, he deserves the crime any first offender would get. However, quit bad mouthing him. He was a phenomenal sheriff, starting many new programs and raised tons of money for the department (STARS, donated helicoptes, donated boat for Delta water patrol..which never existed, mobile command center, etc). He has earned his retirement just as any of you are working for yours. It is nice to know "Hey.." has actually left a factual comment. "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Dec 1, 2007 5:18 PM:

" Who is surprised about this? Everyone knew he was a boozer. As my Daddy taught me, "Once a crook always a crook." "

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oh wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:46 AM:

" To-Hey-Murderers can say the same thing! "

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oh wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:41 AM:

" In his day they would of just taken him home!That is if it was the Sheriff!This guy is scume!Why he should get his (DEFINED BENEFITS)?He is nothing but a proven criminal "

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Hey... wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:39 AM:

" Alotta, I have noticed that you are a negative blogger, you never have anything positive to say. Sometimes people screw up, I'm not defending Dunn, he screwed up big time, but not all of his years in Law Enforcement were corrupt. He had dunn(haha) alotta(haha) good for San Joaquin for a long time then just fell off. "

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wtf wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:37 AM:

" Lawmakers subsequently passed a bill that prevents future public officials from collecting their retirement if convicted of a crime related to their position is BS. This could have been grandfathered in for Dunn as well. Friend of mine was injured & the "law" changed re: Workers' Comp - guess what? The "new" laws were applied to him 3 years AFTER the injury. Same could have been applied to Dunn. "

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OTH wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:18 AM:

" Oh how the mighty have fallen. But with $130,000 a year of taxpayers money he's got it made. I only hope he is punished to the full extent of the law and if that means going back to prison, oh well. He may need some of those big bucks if the gentleman he hit was injured. Stuff happens, even to Baxter Dunn. "

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I do not care! wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:34 AM:

" Tax money isn't used for bail. It has to be your own or a friend that bails you out. In his case, he has used up all of his friends. He will end up doing a little time on this one, probaly about 4 months. After that, he needs to go crawl under a bridge with his new friends. "

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CONCERNED CITIZEN wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:26 AM:

" PLUS, LOOK AT THE MONEY THIS MAN MAKES FOR DOING WRONG THINGS. HELLO THERE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. "

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CONCERNED CITIZEN wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:24 AM:

" I AGREE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

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killio wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:22 AM:

" Gaurenteed this isn't the first time he was caught, it was just the first time when he wasn't in law enforcement. That thin blue line is hard to penetrate. "

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JC wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:39 AM:

" Time to toss this career criminal in jail and throw away the key. "

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pedro rodriquez wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:33 AM:

" the ONLY reason this is in the paper is because this clown is no longer a cop. if he was, they would have sent him on his way. cops ARE above the law. "

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alotta 20 june wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:54 AM:

" its nice to know there tax payers dollars once again bailed out a drunk "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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