Second Santa Barbara County deputy arrested for timecard fraud
CalCoastNews
August 7, 2026
It’s a tough week for trust in our local institutions. For the second time this year, a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for timecard fraud — this time Custody Sergeant Jeffrey Koeller, taken into custody Thursday. The news, first reported by CalCoastNews, comes just six months after another custody sergeant faced similar charges. While this happened in our neighboring county, it hits close to home for anyone who relies on the Sheriff’s Department for safety and accountability.
Timecard fraud might sound like a paperwork issue, but it’s really about public money and public trust. When someone is paid for hours they didn’t work, that’s money that could have gone toward staffing, equipment, or programs that keep our communities safe. It also casts a shadow over the many deputies who do their jobs honestly every day. We’ll be watching to see how the department responds and whether this sparks broader reforms — because transparency matters, especially in law enforcement.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from CalCoastNews.
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San Luis ObispoSource
CalCoastNewsPublished
August 7, 2026
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