Fired DCSO jail sergeant responds to allegations

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Paul Navarro has been fired after contacting a former female inmate. But in a statement posted to NewsChannel 21’s Facebook page, Navarro acknowledged violating policies with that contact, but disputed the allegations of sexual involvement with the woman.

The woman alleged an affair began in 2003, then stopped when she married, but resumed from 2015 until 2016. The sheriff’s office said Navarro violated several agency policies.

Recently released documents show Facebook correspondences between the two. The woman also provides a timeline of her sexual encounters with Navarro, something Navarro said didn’t happen.

After NewsChannel 21 posted the story online Thursday, Navarro posted a lengthy response, presented here in full (he declined our request for an interview):

“I knew the media was going to do whatever it takes to sell a story. Even at the cost to give law enforcement a bad name and ruin the name of good people.

“Here is a chance for the media and public to know the rest of the story that you refuse to tell.

“I was four days shy of being employed with the mentioned Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. Six years ago, I needed to make a change in my life. I received permission from the Sheriff’s Office to attend inpatient treatment from alcohol at the VA Hospital in Walla Walla Washington. I completed the program and had a new outlook on life. I promised myself I would not look at an alcoholic or drug abuser the same as I had before. I was and am an alcoholic. I have walked in their shoes. Completing treatment and staying sober helped not only in my personal life but my professional life as well.

“Well on social media, I came across this female that I recognized as a past inmate and someone who had an addiction. Her profile was of her in a family picture with her kids and husband. I sent her a message saying, “you are looking good these days, I am proud of you. You seem to be doing really well. Keep up the good work.” This was meant as; you are looking healthy, not as being flirtatious. Having gone through treatment and staying sober myself, it feels good to have people say how proud they are of you. I was doing nothing but giving my support.

At the disciplinary hearing I had, I brought information that I thought would show that the female had lied numerous times when questioned by investigators. You have this information and I am disappointed you did not mention any of it. It would show that she was untruthful and trying to use every avenue to get out of jail to continue her drug activity.

“When questioned, she was asked if I had any scars or tattoos. It is not a secret that I am a military veteran. She answered that I had a couple of military tattoos in 2003 when she said we had a sexual relationship. I only have one tattoo and it is not a military tattoo. It is a tribal tattoo that my niece had gotten for me for my birthday in 2010. I showed a picture to prove that the tattoo had nothing to do with the military.

“She stated that she performed oral sex on me numerous times. She was asked if I was circumcised or not. She answered she could not remember. I’m pretty certain that a female would know if a man was circumcised or not.

“During questioning, she said that we had a threesome with a friend of hers. Her friend denied ever having a sexual encounter with me or her. Her friend wouldn’t even lie for her. She then stated that I was dating a dancer at the strip club in Bend. When the dancer was questioned, she denied that we ever dated and didn’t even know me until she was shown a staff picture of me. The dancer had recognized me as working in the jail.

“As for knowing where I lived. I told the investigator that numerous past and present inmates knew where I lived. The house across the street from me had a lot of drug traffic going in and out of it. At one time, I informed the drug team about the house. An inmate at one time had stated to me that he would love to come over to my house for a BBQ. I felt this was an odd thing for him to say so I questioned him. He said he was dating my next door neighbor’s sister and knew where I lived. As far as her knowing what my house looked like on the inside and out or my family situation, it’s not hard to find these things out through social media. Or you can just look it up on DIAL for a house description.

“In the findings it states, “There is no clear evidence to show whether Sgt. Navarro and (the female) were ever involved in a sexually intimate relationship. However, (the female) provided corroborating information about her contact with Sgt. Navarro, by saying the residence she had sexual contact with him in was in the Tamarack Park East subdivision and further described the residence as having a staired entry.

“Yes I violated policy by contacting her via social media. I am guilty of showing that I cared and was concerned. I have a great reputation with past and current inmates. I treat them with respect. That’s why on the outside when I run into them, they stop and thank me for the job I do. I have shaken hands with hundreds of inmates on the outside and they don’t hesitate to introduce me to their spouses and children and tell me how good they are doing. Many of these folks are great people. They just made mistakes that land them in jail. It doesn’t mean that they are bad people at all.

“I have seen a supervisor let a deputy off early to take a new arrestee home who he had known. I have seen a staff member have a known felon at their residence numerous times and only slapped on the wrist more than once. Or the supervisor who walked his son in law through the secured area of the jail where only jail staff is allowed? Then there was an inmate who was released, taken home by a staff member and was allowed to stay on the staff member’s property until they got their housing situation fixed. So if transparency is what the public wants and gets, then the public should know everything. Not just what the Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know.

“So now you know my side. I bled blood, sweat and tears for that Sheriff’s Office. Now I am an 80% disabled veteran, fired for what I thought was doing the right thing, to now fighting to get my unemployment benefits. I am not a disgruntled fired employee. I truly love the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office. They will always be a part of my family.

“If you would like to know what kind of person Paul Navarro is, take a look at my going away message I sent to my troops on Facebook and read the replies. I am not a bad person nor was I a bad cop.”

Navarro was fired on Oct. 4 after being placed on administrative leave in May. Capt. Deron McMaster said there’s no way of knowing if the sexual allegations are true. He said it’s a case of he said she said, but initiating contact with a former inmate is against policy.

During the investigation, Navarro first claimed he did not have contact with the woman outside of the jail, and knowing she worked at IHOP, but investigators learned he had Facebook messaged her in April. McMaster said the fact Navarro lied when being questioned is something the office cannot overlook.

“We can’t tolerate that,” McMaster said. “The public expects us to be honest and truthful. Our credibility in court and on the stand is everything in law enforcement.”

He said Sheriff Shane Nelson is serious about holding his staff accountable to the values of the department.