2 Men Admit Passing Police Data

A Los Angeles County reserve deputy sheriff and another man charged with conspiring to frame a woman for heroin possession pleaded guilty Monday to fraudulent use of a police computer.

As part of a plea bargain, conspiracy charges against Reserve Deputy Donald Ernstmeyer, 36, and Edward Kazarian, 43, are to be dismissed when they are sentenced March 20 in San Fernando Superior Court, Deputy Dist. Atty. Ken Barshop said. Investigators failed to find enough evidence to support the conspiracy charges, he said.

The unidentified woman worked at an equipment rental company Ernstmeyer owned in the Santa Clarita Valley, police said. Ernstmeyer and Kazarian planned to plant the heroin and notify authorities in an effort to keep her from suing Ernstmeyer for a $3,700 debt, investigators said. Authorities were tipped about the plan and arrested the men April 14. No heroin was seized.

“The plea bargain reflected the weakness of their case,” said Ernstmeyer’s attorney, Harland W. Brown.

Ernstmeyer, stationed at Santa Clarita Valley substation, faces a maximum prison sentence of three years and six months for giving Kazarian computer printouts from the California Law Enforcement Telecom System. Authorities did not know what Kazarian intended to do with the printouts.

Kazarian was carrying a .357 magnum when arrested and also pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of possession of a loaded weapon. He could receive up to three years and eight months in prison.

Ernstmeyer was suspended after his arrest and was fired Monday after entering his plea, said Sgt. Robert Warford.