(Los Angeles County) Sheriff's Captain Took Inmate on Golf Outing, Deputy Says

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 5, 2012 | Robert Faturechi

[DogByte6RER]

Sheriff's captain took inmate on golf outing, deputy says

A pro golfer turned jewel thief was escorted from the Catalina Island jail to a golf course, where he gave the captain pointers, the deputy and the former inmate say. The captain is under investigation.

- A hillside overlooking Avalon Harbor in Catalina. (Christina House / For The Times)

The tiny jail on Catalina Island is hardly Alcatraz. Just ask Frank Carrillo.

The pro golfer turned jewel thief couldn't believe his luck when he was moved out of his bleak Men's Central Jail cell in downtown L.A. and allowed to do his time on the sunny tourist isle.

But things got even cushier when he met a Los Angeles County sheriff's captain interested in shaving a few strokes off his golf game.

Carrillo said Capt. Jeff Donahue escorted him in a patrol Jeep to a hilltop golf course last summer. There, dressed in his yellow inmate jumpsuit, Carrillo said, he gave the captain pointers on how to improve his swing and reduce a double-digit handicap.

Word of the free lesson, however, ended up being costly for Donahue, who is under investigation for an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. The allegations were detailed in a complaint by one of Donahue's subordinates.

Carrillo, who compared his time in jail for multiple felonies to "hitting the lotto," thought Donahue should be emulated, not investigated.

"He was amazing to me," said Carrillo, who believes the captain benefited from his lesson.

"He kind of has this swing that's old school and risky, but he hits it every time," Carrillo said in a phone interview. "I would probably say he's a 14 or 15 handicap. Not too bad."

[DogByte6RER]

Here is the following description of the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. Avalon Station on Catalina Island ...

Avalon Sheriff's Station provides law enforcement for Santa Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, and the ocean waters between the islands and mainland of Southern California. The personnel roster of the station consists of a Station Commander; three sergeants, one of whom serves as Operations Officer, while the other two serve as Watch Commanders; and nine deputy sheriffs. These personnel are augmented by reserve deputies during the busiest holiday seasons and on summer weekends. The civilian roster is comprised of ten employees - a supervising clerk, who acts as station secretary; six law enforcement technicians (LET's), who act as dispatchers; and a community service officer.

[DogByte6RER]

More info re: L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Avalon Station ...

http://www.lasdhq.org/stations/for3/avalon/index.html

[blueunicorn6]

You know the old saying

Drive for show
Putt for dough
Lessons for go.

[onedoug]

At least the photo from the northwest is cool.

[Vendome]

At least the guy was doing some useful work....