– Inyo County Sheriff’s Office press release
Wednesday, at about 6:00 PM during routine patrol, an Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy and Tribal Police Officer spotted Ray Bencoma, a 39-year old man from Bishop, who is wanted in two prior domestic violence incidents.
Once Bencoma realized he had been seen, he darted into a residence in the 400 block of Pa Ha Lane. The Inyo County SED team, which consists of members of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Bishop Police Department, and Inyo County District Attorney’s Office arrived; however Bencoma refused to come out.
Ray Bencoma
After receiving a signed warrant, pepper spray was introduced into the residence. Bencoma was taken into custody and transported to the Inyo County Jail where he is being held on an $80,000 bail.
Arielle Stone
Throughout the incident three other people were arrested for resisting and obstructing: Evelyn Kennedy a 45-year-old Bishop woman, Arielle Stone a 23-year-old Bishop woman, and a 17-year-old female juvenile, who was charged then released to a responsible adult.
Evelyn Kennedy
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Here’s some positive, Understand there is context other then your own, Yes, I know if you don’t live in that context it may seem unbelievable, so you might want to believe people that say this happens all the time… I mean you poke someone, poke and poke and poke, and they might end up doing something they probably shouldn’t do, and then people would be like “see that is why we had to poke them”…
Did I say positive? oh, I meant Perspective..
Ill change my response because I forgot about calls from within their own house asking for sheriffs to come help for an out of control family member or guest… I just listened to a call on Pa Ha where they needed help to control a guest out of control
The reservation areas are not heavily patrolled or picked on by law enforcement… 90% of all reservation arrests/citations/calls are initiated by residents calling the sheriffs department complaining about their neighbors, or idiots wandering the streets. If you dont believe this, buy a scanner and listen to the chatter.
I don’t know, whats that prove. 90% of all police arrest come from residents calling them. Clearly the sheriff dept. is much more aggressive toward the Indians. Look at the percentage of Indians arrested compared to whites? I’m white and it seems pretty obvious to me.
Trouble, clearly as usual you don’t know what you are talking about. Trying to stir the pot can have it’s lighter moments, but your comments are just plain stupid.
Buffoonry. You can call it what you want, but like I said originally, the percentage of Native Americans going to jail in Bishop is alarming. Look at Inyo Sheriff web sites if you need facts.
Yes Trouble the stats are alarming. But I find it more alarming that the Sheriff’s Office is considered by you to be the root of the problem, thus my earlier comment that you don’t know what you are talking about. I for one appreciate the quality of the men and women of the inyo county Sheriff’s Office. I also recognize the fact that we live in an imperfect world with imperfect people and imperfect situations we place our law enforcement personnel into. So if you don’t want to do the time, then don’t do the crime (an oldie, but a goody).
TB,
Ya, we all know justice is perfectly colorblind and even handed in this country.
total- I did say earlier that I think the police are just as afraid of the res. as the people on the res. of them. I have been called out before for taking the side of the arrested. But let me assure you that I don’t hate our local police or sheriff. I was raised during a time when most people questioned our legal system and government. Sometimes things need to be addressed . I don’t mean to come across as blaming the sheriffs for all our wows.
The guy that had warrents should have surrendered and three out of the four of these people won’t be in jail. I wonder if the charges agianst the three girls is really justified? It does state this guy ran into their house.
“Pedro” and “Trouble”, it costs practically nothing to reach down and pick up trash in your own neighborhood! As for the junk cars, I agree this is something that needs to be addressed, but again, to simply pick the phone and have them removed is not that expensive. I believe you cannot entirely blame poverty on this.
Regarding the main subject, it does seem as if the reservation has a major share of problems around Bishop, maybe it would help if the community would actually care a bit more, and get to know the neighbors at certain “publicized” events?
I don’t know Eastside. Sure seems like the poorer people are the ones with more run down homes. Plus I know there are plenty of people in this town that can’t afford trash service and dump fees.
Eastside,
I don’t see much litter on the reservation. As far as “junk” cars being “addressed”, that is up to the community that has jurisdiction. Many houses in Inyo and Mono need to address a coat of paint more often than every forty years. Just don’t see much difference between standards of the reservations and rest of the valley. I consider the Bishop Res more beautiful than many neighborhoods in that all the native vegetation hasn’t been annihilated.
Where did you purchase you’re rose colored glasses Pedro? I think I need some.
One man’s weeds are another man’s wildflowers. White picket fences and manicured lawns don’t excite me. Guess I was born this way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUxXKfQkswE
@audrey
You cannot judge the entire res based on the bad hygiene of few, or the cleanliness of ones yard, I know many great families and friends who keep their house nicer them the ones you might see on short street or 3rd street of this great town. Just because someone is Native American doesn’t mean they are automatically one with the earth as well.
It is sad to see some people continue to break laws, and that police tend to use more force on the res.
My question, and yes I know it is unrelated, is why the people who live on the reservation always have their yards all filled with junk? One always reads about how the Native Americans respect the earth, and then one quick drive on the reservation prove that tale is false.
Why are the non reservation areas in OV filled with dilapidated buildings? Half the houses in Lone Pine look like crap. Bishop has areas that are same, Independence and Big Pine show more self pride, but we all could do more.
I suspect the reservation has more “junk” in their yards because they dump less on public lands. This county has trash everywhere, and don’t get me started on the “beautiful” town of Mammoth.
Audrey, I believe a lot of the mess you see is caused by poverty. Not being able to afford to fix their broken cars/ pay registration or pay for trash service . I will point out that most of the houses on the Bishop Res are in much better shape than Benton.
They have been building new houses and putting in new roads all over the bishop res for the last two years. You should drive thru. I would also encourage everyone to go to one of their parades. They don’t bite and you will see how much we have in common.
Hey Audrey! that was true, before this self-serving narrow-minded self preservation mentality that runs rampant in this culture of consumerism was more prevalent then the idea of being one with the earth, So don’t even act like you have the high ground talking down on the people who’s culture was sustainable for generations to come… this society/culture is not doing to well, but go ahead and stay in your bubble, this culture of fear (current american society) has no value or culture worth passing on to generations…. unless your a selfish consumer built on a culture that rewards instant gain and gratification..
How about the positive side of life for a change. BK
Well things looks pretty grim for the younger generations to just focus on the warm and fuzzy stuff the tired ones want to embrace.
I said positive, not warm and fuzzy. BK
Hey Audrey .
What you have observed in this callous observation and generalization is no doubt the view that accompanies a quick drive. Maybe a walk and some conversations with folks might be a more accurate way to add to your observations of what the Paiute People are thinking and dealing with. Just saying this because communication between people is a key to a true understanding of each other . A quick drive misses quite a lot .
Somtimes a book can be judged by its cover.
We all would just love to see your smilin’ mug, Wayne.
It seems to me, that the folks on the res are just of afraid of the Sheriff as they are of them. The amount of arrest on the Bishop res recently is alarming to me.
Yes it is, thanks for keeping it real and stating the truth Trouble..I mean like Mark said himself, how his scarred officer friend would make “terrorist” jokes (member the hand grenade joke?) about coming on the reserve, that is where my family and friends stay, I don’t take comments coming form the ones who are supposed to help like that lightly, and I don’t think any straight up person would either. Everybody else is like a echo chamber when it comes to speaking about Law Enforcement.. Sheep is the only word I can think of..
Cheers Trouble!
Joe…..easy answer..IMO…just like the people that try to out-run LE in their vehicles and 99 % of the time getting caught……they don’t want to go to jail…..and by running and/or hiding,just putting off the inevitable…..in hand-cuffs,in back of a patrol car, and a small room in the local jail…..and in this case,your face plastered all over the Sierra Wave website too !!…THAT is what I would fear the worst…..can you imagine the comments and the “thumbs-up” I’d get if I were to get busted for possession of weed ?
Don’t worry Wayne. I’ll fight for repeal of our stupid drug laws still. Especially to protect you.
Funny though that most of the growers and dealers are as opposed to legalization as you are.
Some people just can’t get enough protection, and they are still scared.. lets do a house swap for a week Wayne, You can come reside on Beautiful LP res, and I’ll stay in the town with the “good folk”…
Pedro…That’s because it would cut into their profits….but,what they would do,if legalized, is lower their prices,and give a good bulk-buy price,and soon the “legal pot stores” would be either feeling the pinch,and forcing them to lower their prices too…if any of them were to go out of business,it would be the stores,not the street dealers…
Wayne,
Ya got it backwards. Criminals are not going to deal with low profit products. This country could grow enough cannabis to make it cheaper than vanilla beans. Don’t see many street dealers selling vanilla, do you?
The only way legal stores will be put out of business is when the government taxes too high and the black market gains advantage. This is current reality with cigarettes. Cigarette bootlegging is current example of how prohibition doesn’t work. Don’t worry, our government will surely get greedy and insure street dealers survive by continuing to be the Mr Big of the drug profiteering business.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-boom-in-smuggling-to-avoid-cigarette-taxes/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/raising-federal-cigarettes-taxes-wont-end-smuggling-between-states/2014/08/08/44f4ea26-1d5d-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/raising-federal-cigarettes-taxes-wont-end-smuggling-between-states/2014/08/08/44f4ea26-1d5d-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html
Pedro….If the stores are selling 1/8th’s for $65-70,like they are in Colorado,or the med-stores are doing now, and the streets are selling the same amount for $40….like it is now….the only way the stores will sell and stay in business is if they lower their prices,or hope people get desperate when they can’t find a street seller…which we ALL know will never happen.
Wayne,
Stop buying weed in Aspen for twice the average price. It’s like going out of your way to buy groceries in Mammoth.
Pedro….They are saying the going-price for good weed in Denver,Colorado is $40.00 for an 1/8..plus 21% tax……and for an ounce,$250.00 plus 21 % tax,making an ounce total over $300.00,making that cost even at bulk of over $35.00 an 1/8..in California,the taxes will be higher,I’ll bet looking close to $350.00 for an ounce…the street can beat…
Just like gangsters are selling booze on the street since the re-legalization of alcohol sales, eh Wayne?
Pedro….If I were a pot-smoker and looking to buy….let’s see….on one hand,go to a “pot-store” and get a 1/8 for $50-55……PLUS a 22% + tax…for a total of around $60.00 or so….on the other hand,walk out my front door and get a good-size 1/8 for $40.00……maybe two for $ 75.00….whoever thinks by legalizing,what it will do is run the “street-vendors” out of business is crazy….most of those in favor of legalization,it’s not because they want to stay within the law…and do their part by paying taxes…it’s because of finding ways to “push-the-buttons”,so to say,like they did with the med-marijuana prop voted on a few years ago….grow and sell,that way,able to use AND make $$$ at the same time…without working….thinking they can get around anytype of drug-testing when applying for a job….or working a job….if they have a job….like one poster said a while back,the first thing they would do,if legalized,would be to sit out in front of the ICSO and get stoned in their parking lot….others would want to get stoned and stupid in public places….and maybe,from what I read the other day happening in Colorado,a way to try to get “free-money”…..someone suing a pot-store,saying he ate some pot-laced “cookies” HE BOUGHT at the pot-quick-stop made him “too high”…..and a reason to file a lawsuit…..WOW !!!…The reason so many states are considering legalization is mainly because people are going to smoke weed anyway…. thinking they might as well get taxes out of their habit….but those making the money will be the self-employed dealers…
Why do people think they can just run inside and law enforcement will just go away?
Time for a story about something good happening on the Res.
Even if we have to make it up
Mark,
Here’s one for you
Hundreds, maybe thousands, NOT Arrested today.
Hundreds of members of the Bishop Paiute Nation were good neighbors today. Some went to work and contributed to the community. Some stayed home and cooked for their children and elders. Some cared for animals and played with their pets. Some just enjoyed the beautiful summer day and blessed others with their smile and words. Some prayed for their neighbors who may have lost their way.
Thank You Pedro that works for me.
Now lets see something from the Sierra Wave
Yeah I heard Mark went and saved a cat out of a tree on on south Pa-Ha…
But then beer cans started flying from the sky, something like that, right?
Do cats really get stuck in trees? Isn’t cat rescue what the so called hero’s do in the big red truck? One would think if they figured out how to climb up they’ll figure out how to climb down.
I could always use a few more barn cats
I think the real question is if you would give any help on south pa-ha, that was the punchline…
Sure wish my longer comment made the cut… I guess it was to radical to throw actual case’s that are relevant to this story in the mix…
I’m just thinking it should be a concern to local law enforcement that the respected individuals in a community can’t trust their service’s, but not if they perpetuate this “us Vs them” attitude.