NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Fresno sergeant accused of stealing, taking drugs on duty

Posted

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A 19-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department faces criminal charges after allegedly robbing a drug suspect, ingesting the drugs while on duty and then driving his patrol car while under the influence.

The Fresno Bee reports that the Fresno County district attorney and police Chief Paco Balderrama announced the charges Wednesday against Sgt. Donald Dinnell.

Dinnell has worked for the Fresno Police Department since 2003.

The police chief said Dinnell was arrested after he crashed his patrol car Dec. 30 and a subsequent drug test found him positive for fentanyl.

A follow-up investigation found that he had taken the drugs from the suspect “by force or fear” and ingested them. He faces charges for drug possession, second-degree robbery and DUI.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

09/16/2025

Clear

-° / 72°

0%

Wednesday

09/17/2025

Cloudy

98° / 75°

15%

Thursday

09/18/2025

Partly Cloudy

83° / 70°

21%

Friday

09/19/2025

Clear

88° / 70°

5%

Saturday

09/20/2025

Clear

90° / 70°

3%

Sunday

09/21/2025

Mostly Clear

90° / 71°

2%

Monday

09/22/2025

Mostly Clear

93° / 73°

24%

Tuesday

09/23/2025

Clear

90° / 70°

10%