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Mountain Democra t
2023
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 111 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2024
El Dorado County correctional officer accused of sexual misconduct Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
An El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office correctional officer was arrested Friday, Nov. 22, in connection to sexual assault allegations involving an inmate. Michael Griffiths, 24, became the target of an investigation conducted by EDSO after deputies were made aware of allegations that he had engaged in sexual activity with an inmate at the El Dorado County Jail. Griffiths was booked into the jail on a charge of consensual sex with an adult detained in a detention facility; according to inmate records, he was later released on bail. He has been placed on administrative leave, according to an EDSO press release. The investigation into Griffith’s conduct is ongoing, according to EDSO officials, and no further information is available at this time.
Courtesy photo
El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies lead Cameron Park man Michael Steven Raphael to a waiting patrol car. Raphael was arrested in connection to an investigation on child sexual abuse material.
Cameron Park man arrested after child porn investigation Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office deputies arrested a
MAIL LABEL
Cameron Park man Thursday, Nov. 21, for alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. Michael Steven Raphael, 45, was arrested as deputies executed a search warrant at his residence as part of an investigation into multiple tips which alleged he was in possession of child porn. The investigation into Raphael was conducted by EDSO’s High-Tech Crimes Unit, which has members who belong to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The unit began looking into Raphael following receipt ■ See ARREST, page A8
Photo by Shelly Thorene
A tom struts his stuff among a flock of about 20 hens at a residence on Crystal Boulevard and Sodalite Street in Logtown. These turkeys didn’t seem worried about the approaching holiday during which they’re usually the main course. The Mountain Democrat wishes everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving full of gratitude, laughter and full bellies.
Fire protection districts sign on for unification “A lot of people here have done a lot of work to get Chief [Matt] Gallagher and I to this point.”
Odin Rasco
agencies entering into a shared service agreement With unanimous in October votes in favor from 2022, which — EDCFPD Fire Chief Tim Cordero their respective boards set combined of trustees, two local training and fire firefighting agencies protection duties entered into the Local Agency Formation between the two groups. On the heels of that Commission process Thursday, Nov. 21, which decision, the two agencies established an ad-hoc will see the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire committee to explore annexation options in Protection District annexed into the El Dorado late January 2023. The two passed resolutions County Fire Protection District. of intent in February 2023 to further look at The move to combine the two agencies has annexation, with the ad-hoc working group of been a pie-in-the-sky idea for years, according to board members and staff from both agencies many familiar with the situation. also holding the first of its at least once-a-month “A lot of people here have done a lot of work meetings. to get Chief [Matt] Gallagher and I to this The gears of progress kept turning over the point,” EDCFPD Fire Chief Tim Cordero said following year, with consultant Bill Adams, at the joint EDCFPD and DSEDFPD boards of described by Cordero as a “tremendous asset,” trustees meeting Thursday. “To be blunt, this is brought on to help bring a legal perspective to something that I never thought we’d see.” the annexation effort; local LAFCO officials also That dream inched closer to an achievable goal in recent years, starting with the two ■ See ANNEXATION page A8 Senior staff writer
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