Prosecutors Delay Charges Against SRJC Police Officer in Alleged Embezzlement Case

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office today delayed filing charges against a Santa Rosa Junior College Police Department officer suspected of embezzlement and grand theft.

Jeff Holzworth, 49, briefly appeared in Sonoma County Superior Court this morning, but then left quickly with his attorney Joseph Passalacqua.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Ariyoshi told Judge Robert LaForge that the case is still under investigation and the prosecution is seeking financial records. Holzworth's next court date is Dec. 17.

Ariyoshi said the alleged embezzlement involved money from parking machines at the college campus.

After this morning's brief hearing, she said Holzworth was responsible for maintaining the parking machines, which accept one- and five-dollar bills.

The investigation began after Santa Rosa Junior College Police Chief Matt McCaffrey informed Santa Rosa police that an employee had notified him of the alleged embezzlement, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Lance Badger said.

Santa Rosa police obtained warrants and searched Holzworth's home, workspace and work vehicles, Badger said. Ariyoshi said the search warrants
have been sealed.

After a three-week investigation, Holzworth was arrested at the end of his shift at 10 a.m. Wednesday. He posted $150,000 bail and is out of custody.

Holzworth, a 28-year employee of the college, is on administrative leave.

By Bay City News Service

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