Joanne Marian Segovia, a high-ranking executive for the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, now faces criminal charges for a drug scandal. She was caught attempting to illigally import valeryl fentanyl.
Segovia is alleged to have used both her personal computer and her work computer to order the opioids and other pills. This illegal drug importation lasted from October 2015 to January 2023, with the intent to distribute them within the U.S.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports that at least 61 shipments were mailed to mailed to the executive’s home from countries such as Hong Kong, Hungary, India, and Singapore.
Between July 2019 and January 2023, five of these packages, disguised as “Wedding Party Favors,” “Gift Makeup,” or “Chocolate and Sweets,” were intercepted and found to contain synthetic opioids like Tramadol and Tapentadol. Some of the seized packages were worth thousands of dollars.
Segovia, 64, is also accused of using WhatsApp to communicate with an individual in India about shipments and sharing photographs of tablets and packages. Furthermore, she allegedly used her office at the San Jose Police Officers’ Association as a resource for distributing substances. According to reports, she used the association’s UPS account when a supplier asked her to deliver one of the packages to North Carolina.
An investigation by Homeland Security into substances being shipped into the Bay Area led to Segovia’s arrest. During an interview on March 14, she denied any involvement in the shipments and blamed a family friend and housekeeper. She claimed this individual was struggling with substance abuse.
Will Edelman, listed as Segovia’s defense attorney, has not responded to requests for comment. Even after federal officers interviewed Segovia in February 2023, another shipment addressed to her containing valeryl fentanyl was seized in Kentucky.
Tom Saggau, a spokesperson for the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, stated that the organization is fully cooperating with federal authorities in their ongoing investigation. The association has placed Segovia on leave and revoked her access to the association as per standard procedure. Saggau confirmed that no other individuals at the association were involved or aware of the alleged acts.
As a result, Segovia faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. She also is facing up to 3 years of supervised release in addition to hefty fines.