L.A. Deputy Arrested in Sting

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested Monday evening after authorities said he purchased heroin from undercover officers in an Orange County sting operation.

Salem Clark, who was on leave from his job at Men’s Central Jail, was arrested by the Tustin Police Department’s special investigations unit after the drug buy about 6:30 p.m., Tustin Police Sgt. Jeff Beeler said.

Clark was booked into Orange County Jail on Monday evening and held in lieu of $10,000 bail before being released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be arraigned today, Beeler said.

Beeler said he did not know how much heroin Clark possessed when he was detained, and Beeler also declined to give details about the events leading up to the arrest. The alleged drug buy occurred near the intersection of the Santa Ana Freeway and Lake Forest Drive.

Beeler said the investigation is continuing but declined to comment further.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials were alerted Monday night that Clark had been arrested. He was officially relieved of duty at that time and will be fired, officials said Tuesday.

Clark, who has worked for the Sheriff’s Department for nine years, has been on leave for an injury for “a while,” officials said.

Sheriff’s deputies took Clark’s badge and gun Monday evening, a standard practice in such situations.