LAKEPORT — Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero testified for roughly an hour Wednesday during the preliminary hearing of three men accused of committing a gang-related assault last spring.
Timothy R. Bianchi, Nicolas F. Carrillo and Josh L. Johnson have been charged in connection with a June 4 incident at a tattoo convention at Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport.
All three face a felony count of participating in a criminal street gang (the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club), a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace by fighting and a misdemeanor battery count.
Bianchi faces a second felony for assault with a deadly weapon while Carrillo and Johnson face a second misdemeanor battery count.
David D. Dabbs, who was charged with the same counts as Bianchi, has remained at large since an arrest warrant was issued in late August. Authorities allege the four men beat a member of a rival gang, the Vagos Motorcycle Club.
Bianchi, Carrillo and Johnson (all Sonoma County residents) appeared at the Lake County Courthouse Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Each defendant has his own attorney.
Rivero took the stand during the morning session.
The sheriff said he obtained copies of surveillance footage from casino officials several days after the incident.
Under cross-examination, Rivero said it is common for him to participate in Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) investigations.
“I have a professional obligation to maintain peace in Lake County,” he added.
Rivero also described tribal representatives being initially reluctant to turn over the videos because some were afraid of retribution.
“The major problem or situation or concern was retaliation,” the sheriff said.
One defense attorney tried to question Rivero”s credibility by asking about Lake County District Attorney”s Office investigations into his actions.
“It”s true I”m being investigated and I did not lie,” Rivero said responding to a question about a reported DA inquiry into an officer-involved shooting that occurred while he was an LCSO deputy in February 2008.
Rivero was one of several LCSO officials called to the stand Wednesday. The hearing is expected to conclude today.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
