Investigator in Rape Case Target of Probe

A lead investigator in the multiple rape case against Peter A. Stocks is himself the target of a criminal investigation, the third time in the past year that alleged police misconduct has become an issue in a Ventura County criminal case.

The revelation that former Ventura Police Det. Gregory W. Irvine, 47, is under investigation came during a hearing Monday in the Stocks case when defense attorneys asked that they be given more details about the probe. Prosecutors have since divulged that Irvine is under investigation, without providing any further information.

Defense attorney Susan Olson said details of the probe could be used to question Irvine’s credibility and are vital to preparing Stocks’ defense against charges that he raped three elderly women.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Steven Z. Perren said he agreed with Olson but put off making a decision pending the outcome of the hearing. He is set to rule on the motion today.

At the moment, neither side is sure what, if any, effect the probe of Irvine will have on the case against Stocks, who is charged with 15 counts of rape, assault and burglary.

Irvine arrested the suspect in August and interviewed him for four hours at the Ventura Police Department. During that videotaped interview, Stocks confessed to two of the rapes, according to testimony by Irvine at a preliminary hearing.

The allegations against Irvine, Deputy Dist. Atty. Patricia Kelliher argued, should have no bearing on the tape’s validity. Kelliher declined to discuss the Irvine investigation, but did say it had “nothing whatsoever” to do with Irvine’s handling of Stocks’ arrest.

But in a separate issue, Olson alleges that Irvine’s arrest of Stocks was improper because the unemployed construction worker was not properly read his Miranda rights. Olson is asking that Stocks’ videotaped confession be ruled inadmissible. Perren will decide that issue later.

Stocks was arrested and charged with a string of violent sexual assaults, reminiscent of a string of unrelated attacks that terrorized the Ojai Valley community between 1993 and 1994.

In one instance, Stocks is accused of tying an 89-year-old Ojai woman to her bedposts before raping her in July of last year. He also is accused of raping two elderly women in their east Ventura homes last summer. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is scheduled to start later this month.

Ventura Assistant Police Chief Ken Thompson declined to comment on the Irvine investigation and refused to confirm that Irvine is no longer with the force. But Olson said police officials refused to accept a subpoena for Irvine on Friday, telling the process server that Irvine is “no longer a city employee.”

It is the third time in a year and the second time in less than a month that alleged police misconduct has been raised in a Ventura County criminal case.

Former Oxnard Police Officer Gary Zamberletti is under investigation for allegedly hiding a shotgun used in the slaying of an Oxnard man in December. Zamberletti is the brother-in-law of Joaquin “Jack” Ayala, who is accused of murdering Josue Salazar Carrera. Investigators allege that Zamberletti disposed of the murder weapon, which has never been found.

Prosecutors are continuing their investigation, and no criminal charges have been filed against the 24-year-old rookie, who voluntarily resigned from the department earlier this month.

In August, a drug conviction was overturned when a Simi Valley officer was charged with perjury. Though a jury acquitted David S. Ming of the perjury charge, Simi Valley Police Chief Randy Adams fired the 26-year-old officer. Ming is appealing his dismissal.