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For the last few weeks I've been looking into the social posts of Solano County Sheriff's deputies.
Several of them have shown open support for the Three Percenter movement, a far-right militia whose members were involved in the attack on the Capitol.
Several of them have shown open support for the Three Percenter movement, a far-right militia whose members were involved in the attack on the Capitol.
This is Sgt. Cully Pratt. He makes decorative wood carvings for sale.
Some of them are based on the movies starring his brother Chris Pratt.
Some of them have Three Percent symbols, like this one he made for a colleague in the sheriff's office. 2/x
Some of them are based on the movies starring his brother Chris Pratt.
Some of them have Three Percent symbols, like this one he made for a colleague in the sheriff's office. 2/x
This is Sgt. Roy Stockton. He was elected to the Vacaville City Council last year.
Pratt made the board for him. Stockton also sells crafts with Three Percenter symbols.
In 2016, he reposted an image of guns that said, “Getting ready for the election tomorrow.” 3/x
Pratt made the board for him. Stockton also sells crafts with Three Percenter symbols.
In 2016, he reposted an image of guns that said, “Getting ready for the election tomorrow.” 3/x
When reached for comment, Stockton said he condemns extremism.
“I believe that law enforcement officers and other public officials cannot keep their oaths to uphold the Constitution if they are associated with any extremist or anti-government groups,” he said. 4/x
“I believe that law enforcement officers and other public officials cannot keep their oaths to uphold the Constitution if they are associated with any extremist or anti-government groups,” he said. 4/x
This is Deputy Dale Matsuoka, the sheriff's homeless outreach coordinator.
Matsuoka uses an alias on Facebook, where he posts Three Percenter symbols, but he also posts photos of himself in uniform.
One of his posts said, "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." 5/x
Matsuoka uses an alias on Facebook, where he posts Three Percenter symbols, but he also posts photos of himself in uniform.
One of his posts said, "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." 5/x
This is Jamie Estes, a county public works employee.
He has a large Three Percenter tattoo on his arm and posts numerous Three Percenter symbols.
He is friends with at least 8 sheriff's employees on Facebook, including Pratt, Stockton and Matsuoka. 6/x
He has a large Three Percenter tattoo on his arm and posts numerous Three Percenter symbols.
He is friends with at least 8 sheriff's employees on Facebook, including Pratt, Stockton and Matsuoka. 6/x
Estes attended a fundraiser Pratt and Stockton hosted in 2019 along with Sheriff Tom Ferrara and county Supervisors Mitch Mashburn and Erin Hannigan.
Stockton posted a selfie with Estes and tagged him on Instagram. 7/x
Stockton posted a selfie with Estes and tagged him on Instagram. 7/x
Cully Pratt's brother Chris Pratt has helped promote the sheriff's office and his brother's woodcarving business.
Chris Pratt has also at times been seen with his brother and Stockton wearing symbols favored by the Three Percenter movement. 8/x
Chris Pratt has also at times been seen with his brother and Stockton wearing symbols favored by the Three Percenter movement. 8/x
The county refused to comment on any of this. We reached out to all the deputies involved, but only Stockton responded.
A county spokesperson told me that legally the county doesn't have to answer any questions under the California Public Records Act. 9/x
A county spokesperson told me that legally the county doesn't have to answer any questions under the California Public Records Act. 9/x
There is evidence there may be more support for Three Percenters in Bay Area law enforcement.
I found that the Oakland Area CHP "liked" this Three Percenter symbol on Instagram. The CHP says they don't know which employee did it but they believe it to be a mistake. 10/x
I found that the Oakland Area CHP "liked" this Three Percenter symbol on Instagram. The CHP says they don't know which employee did it but they believe it to be a mistake. 10/x
You can read all about our findings in the full investigation for @OpenVallejo here: https://openvallejo.org/2021/02/04/solano-deputies-vacaville-councilmember-promote-anti-government-militia/
. @OpenVallejo is a small nonprofit newsroom doing revelatory reporting in an under covered area of California.
If you appreciate the work we're doing you can donate here: https://openvallejo.org/donate
If you appreciate the work we're doing you can donate here: https://openvallejo.org/donate
Update: while the sheriff wouldn't talk to me for this story, he did provide a statement to a local TV station indicating he doesn't see a problem with what's described here. https://twitter.com/OakMorr/status/1359036088958873600
