LAKEPORT — A former correctional officer”s defense attorney said Monday he discussed a plea bargain with the prosecution but they hadn”t come to an agreement.
Russell “Rusty” Wright is charged with grand theft, embezzlement by a public officer, receiving stolen property and possession of dangerous fireworks.
The judge scheduled Wright”s preliminary hearing for July 7, which chief deputy district attorney Rich Hinchcliff said might take a few hours. Wright will also return to court 8:15 a.m. July 2 in Department 3 for preliminary hearing assignment.
Lake County Sheriff”s officers arrested Wright Feb. 2. He posted bail and was released the same day.
Sheriff Rod Mitchell said that an audit was conducted on Jan. 11 that led LCSO to determine that a weapon was altered in the Sheriff”s Department armory.
“The investigation that followed led us to seek a search warrant of Rusty Wright”s property,” Mitchell said. While Wright was employed with LCSO, five LCSO firearms instructors had access to the armory.
A trigger mechanism for a semi-automatic weapon replaced the mechanism in the automatic weapon, Mitchell said. He also said that it requires an elevated level of expertise to accomplish altering the weapon.
