SB Sheriff Accused of Extorting Wealthy San Manuel Member

A stain on the San Bernardino Sheriff's department

A former sheriff's deputy was ordered held on charges Thursday after prosecutors said he tried to extort cash and vehicles from a San Manuel tribal member.
John Thomas Laurent, who was a deputy when the alleged crimes occurred in 2007 and 2008, was ordered to face an attempted extortion charge during a hearing in San Bernardino Superior Court.

After hearing testimony from 46-year-old Ray Green and a sheriff's detective, Judge Robert J. Lemkau ruled that sufficient evidence existed to hold over Laurent to face the charges.

Laurent, 30, is out on bail and returns to court May 8 to enter a plea. OP: If Laurent were San Manuel, he'd get house arrest, like those who conspired to murder people got.....

Green testified that one of three homes he owns is in Lake Arrowhead, where Laurent contacted him. As a San Manuel member, he receives $50,000 a month, after taxes, as his share of the tribe's casino profits, he said. Green was on parole for narcotics violations in July 2007 when Laurent called him, he said. OP: $50K a month AFTER taxes and still turning to drugs?