South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has announced the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against it by People for the Ethical Operation of Prosecutors and Law Enforcement (P.E.O.P.L.E.), along with individuals Bethany Webb, Theresa Smith, and Tina Jackson. This legal action, initiated in 2018, challenged the department's use of custodial informants in county jails and alleged constitutional violations. The plaintiffs have now dismissed the case with prejudice, admitting that their lawsuit did not affect the department's operations.

Sheriff Don Barnes expressed confidence throughout the litigation process. "I was confident we would prevail in court. This lawsuit, which wasted millions of taxpayer dollars defending a case against the County that never had merit, has finally been dismissed. This dismissal reaffirms that our policies are aligned with constitutional standards and further validates the Department’s dedication to lawful policing practices."

The U.S. Department of Justice concluded its investigation into these practices in January 2025, finding substantial compliance with constitutional requirements without necessitating changes to internal processes or procedures. P.E.O.P.L.E.'s settlement acknowledges this compliance with the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Mary Izadi, Constitutional Policing Advisor for the department, stated: "The Department has shown consistency in lawful practices through the closure of the U.S. DOJ investigation and now in the dismissal of this case. We remain committed to serving the community while protecting constitutional rights through proactive policies."

In their settlement agreement, plaintiffs acknowledged that neither their views nor input were considered by either the Orange County Sheriff's Department or U.S. DOJ regarding current policies on informant use within county jails.