Sheriff's Deputy On Leave After DUI, Firearm Charges

SANTA CLARA - A Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputy was arrested over the weekend outside a Santa Clara fast food restaurant and has been placed on leave, authorities said Tuesday.

Benjamin Lee, 33, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of brandishing a firearm and driving under the influence, Santa Clara police Lt. Kurt Clarke said.

The arrest happened at about 2:40 a.m. at a Jack in the Box restaurant at 911 El Camino Real near Lafayette Street, Clarke said.

Lee, who was off-duty during the incident, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and later released, sheriff’s Sgt. James Jensen said. The 33-year-old has been placed on administrative leave and the sheriff’s office is carrying out an internal investigation into the allegations, Jensen said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is awaiting a report on Lee that it will review to determine if charges will be filed against him.

The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Santa Clara County issued a statement following Lee’s arrest, saying the group was saddened by the allegations.

While cautioning against a rush to judgment, association vice president Roger Winslow said, “DUI by anyone is unacceptable; doubly so when it involves a deputy sheriff. We are held to a higher standard and rightly so.”

-Bay City News, image via Santa Clara Police Department