San Bernardino County deputy arrested, charged with extortion and solicitation of bribes

on August 05, 2025

Deputy Cameron Steven Romo, 27, of Rialto was taken into custody Tuesday morning, according to the sheriff's department and county booking records. 

A citizen complaint was initially filed against Deputy Cameron Romo in June of 2024. Romo was placed on administrative leave as the Specialized Investigations Division began looking into the case, the Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release Wednesday.

Investigators determined that Romo, who was assigned to the Hesperia Station, had conducted “multiple criminal acts while on-duty as a Deputy Sheriff,” the release read. Romo was employed by the Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff since September 2020 and assigned to the Hesperia Station since August 2021.

The completed investigation was submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, which filed felony charges of three counts of extortion and three counts of soliciting bribes. Romo was booked and held in lieu of $90,000 bail following Tuesday’s arrest.

“This is unfortunate that a Deputy Sheriff would engage in this type of behavior. I am proud of all the investigators involved in bringing this case to the District Attorney’s Office so he can be held accountable,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said.

Romo has been employed by the Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff since September 2020 and has been assigned to the Hesperia Station since August 2021.

Anyone with further information about the case was asked to contact Detective Antonio Alcala or Sergeant Nicholas Clark of the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME.

The Law

CHARGE 6/5/2024

Extortion in California, defined under Penal Code 518, is the act of obtaining property or an official act from another person through the wrongful use of force or fear. It is considered a felony and can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

Ask for/Receive Bribe in California, under Penal Code 68 asking for and receiving a bribe involves a government official requesting or accepting something of value with the intent to influence their official duties. This felony carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

Cases of Note

People v. Litt, 221 Cal. App. 2d 543, 34 Cal. Rptr. 592 (Ct. App. 1963)

The defendant was convicted in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County of soliciting a person to commit bribery, and he appealed. The District Court of Appeal held that solicitation of one to offer a bribe is crime separate and distinct from bribery or attempt to bribe and that evidence supported conviction of defendant, who allegedly told another person that he could take care of ‘the whole thing’ for specified sum.