San Francisco police sergeant faces 40 felony counts for alleged misuse of criminal databases

By Tamara Barak, Bay City News Service

August 15, 2006

A veteran San Francisco police sergeant is facing 40 felony counts connected to his alleged misuse of confidential criminal databases, the district attorney's office confirmed this evening.

Sgt. Andre Fontenot was arrested yesterday after an 18-month investigation by the San Francisco Police Department's Special Investigations Division revealed evidence he had accessed database information for persona reasons.

In January 2005, Police Chief Heather Fong filed administrative charges in connection with Fontenot's alleged transgressions with the city's Police Commission.

For each of his 20 alleged victims, Fontenot faces two felony counts of wrongfully controlling data and using data from a network without permission, according to the San Francisco district attorney's office.

"In San Francisco, if you violate the public trust, whether you wear a tie or a badge, you will be vigorously prosecuted," District Attorney Kamala Harris said in a statement.

Fontenot, 46, joined the department in September of 1989. Police say he was booked into San Francisco County Jail this evening and was released after posting bail.

He will be arraigned Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court.

He has been suspended without pay.

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