4 Firefighters, Including 2 Captains, Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

Four suspended San Diego firefighters were indicted Monday on federal drug charges, including two fire captains who allegedly distributed methamphetamine and cocaine.

The indictments, unsealed in U. S. District Court, capped a four-month investigation by the San Diego Police Department in which the firefighters allegedly furnished illegal drugs to undercover police officers.

Indicted were:

- Capt. Ronald Cervantes, 32, of the 3700 block of 38th Street, on a felony charge of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a .357 magnum revolver and distributing methamphetamine.

- Capt. George V. Jessup, 38, of Crest, on a felony charge of distributing .04 grams of cocaine and possessing .5 grams of marijuana.

- Firefighter Vincent Lee Stevenson, 28, of the 300 block of N. 43rd, on a misdemeanor charge of possessing .12 grams of rock cocaine.

- Firefighter Charles Rowe, 40, of Leucadia, on a misdemeanor charge of possessing .3 grams of marijuana.

Officials said that Cervantes surrendered Monday, and the three others were arrested Sunday.

All four firefighters entered not-guilty pleas before U. S. Magistrate Irma Gonzalez and were released on personal appeal bonds ranging from $7,500 to $15,000. They are to appear again in court next Monday.

None of the firefighters could be reached for comment.

Michael O’Hara, an attorney for Jessup, said he was surprised that the charges were filed in federal court, particularly since the quantities of drugs was so small.

“The amounts are incredibly small,” O’Hara said. “All of them are small quantities. I don’t know what effect .04 grams of cocaine would even have on the body.”

He added that Jessup, a firefighter for 17 years, was approached for a date by a woman who later turned out to be an undercover female police officer. He said the alleged distribution apparently occurred while the two went out on the date. He added that Jessup’s home was also searched by police.

Michael I. Littman said his client, Rowe, had been a firefighter for 20 years, and that the .3 grams of marijuana he is alleged to have possessed was “an incredibly small small amount.”

“This case does not belong in the federal court system,” the lawyer said. “That .3 grams is like a roach of pot, probably less than pipe residue.”

Lt. Dan Berglund of the police narcotics unit said the case began last spring on a tip police received about Cervantes, who was assigned to the fire prevention unit.

“We received information from a confidential informant that a fire captain had been involved in sales of methamphetamine,” Berglund said. “So we conducted an investigation, obtained a search warrant for his residence and executed that warrant on June 12.”

He said that, during the search of Cervantes’ home, police found “some quantity” of drugs and indications of a meth lab, “or at least enough for production” of methamphetamine.

The police lieutenant said officers also discovered several shotguns and handguns and two 1-pound sticks of dynamite, some plastic explosives, and some cord and blasting caps that were part of a cache stolen in Ramona.

Police continued their investigation, Berglund said, and a police undercover inquiry expanded to several of the individual firehouses, including Fire Stations 34, 20 and 21, where Jessup, Stevenson and Rowe were assigned.

“We did have an undercover officer who was furnished some drugs,” Berglund said.

At that point, police notified the U. S. attorney’s office and City Hall.

“It was a major concern of the city in that these individuals were driving heavy equipment and were tasked with the public safety of citizens and fellow crew members and might be involved in a fire or rescue attempt,” he said.

The four firefighters, along with three others, were suspended without pay in late August. The other three suspended firefighters were identified as Jackie J. Braswell, Joseph A. Rivas and Stephen E. Barr, none of whom were charged Monday.

All seven firefighters have filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court challenging the suspensions without pay. Meanwhile, the police investigation is continuing. “We’re anticipating several more persons possibly being indicted,” Berglund said.