Poland out on bail; more charges possible

By Kathryn Reed

South Lake Tahoe police Officer Johnny Poland is out of jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to be in court on Feb. 14 to face five federal charges related to witness and evidence tampering.

Poland was arrested Jan. 23 and was released from the Sacramento County Jail the following day.

Johnny Poland

Although the complaint written by local FBI Agent Chris Campion details more than one incident of Poland having sex with minors, no statutory rape charges were filed against him.

When asked why there were no federal charges involving sex with students, FBI spokeswoman Gina Swankie told Lake Tahoe News, “The individuals in the complaint were not high school students during the time of the FBI investigation.”

Poland was the school resource officer at South Tahoe High School.

“Information in the complaint relates that the girls were victimized in 2003 and 2006 — while conducting an internal investigation, at the time, they denied sexual activities,” Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News. “Later, during the joint FBI and SLTPD investigation – within the time restrictions of the appropriate statute of limitations – they disclosed the illegal conduct that could lead to the state charges. … the DA is considering these additional charges.”

The alleged crimes occurred when he was on and off duty.

Here is a copy of the Poland complaint.