Deputy Chief Coerced Subordinate Into Sex, Tried To Hide Semen-Stained Chair: Report

REDLANDS, CA — Three Redlands police supervisors are accused of trying to hide evidence of sexual misconduct within the department, triggering investigations by the city as well as the FBI, according to a lengthy report from The Press-Enterprise.

Forensic specialist Geneva Holzer in a damage claim against the city alleged former Deputy Chief Mike Reiss and Sgt. Kyle Alexander tried in 2019 to destroy or cover up a semen-stained office chair that belonged to an ex-employee who said she was coerced into sexual activity with Reiss, the newspaper reported.

Reiss was put on administrative leave earlier this year and retired, according to the paper, which noted his monthly pension payment totals over $15,000.

Holzer said Reiss sexually harassed her for years, while two other women in the department filed lawsuits alleging he invited them for drinks and to his condo, and either sent or requested nude or partially nude photos, The Press-Enterprise reported.

Alexander told Holzer to get rid of the chair and not to log any photos or a report related to it, according to the outlet, citing Holzer's claim and adding Holzer alleged Cmdr. Stephen Crane was complicit in the concealment. Reiss and Alexander also went looking for the chair in the forensic office, the paper reported.

Tests confirmed semen on the chair but “it was unclear whether Reiss was the source of it,” according to the outlet, which reported Redlands’ former police chief said the women’s allegations were investigated but that he was unable to share the findings.

Read more from The Press-Enterprise.