San Jose Police Officers’ Association (SJPOA) Executive Director Joanne Marian Segovia has been charged with importing and agreeing to distribute illegal opioids, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Segovia allegedly ordered thousands of opioids, including fentanyl, from overseas between October 2015 and January 2023 and then distributed the drugs around the U.S. Federal prosecutors say she used her work computer at SJPOA to place some of the orders. Some of her shipments included packaging labels with SJPOA’s headquarters as a return address.
Segovia has been placed on leave. According to the police union, “no additional individual at the POA is involved or had prior knowledge of the alleged acts.”
San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata called Segovia’s arrest shocking and disheartening.
“This is an incredibly disturbing allegation,” added San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in a statement to KRON4. “No one is above the law, regardless of who their employer is. I want to thank U.S. Attorney Ramsey and his colleagues for aggressively pursuing the sources of fentanyl coming into our communities and holding drug-dealers accountable.”
If convicted, Segovia faces up to 20 years in prison.