Facing felony charges over election paperwork, Northern California sheriff plans to resign

A Northern California sheriff who was charged last week with felony voter fraud and lying on election paperwork announced on Monday that he planned to resign his post immediately.

Del Norte County Sheriff Randall Waltz submitted his resignation letter Monday. In it, Waltz defended himself, saying that he had followed the legal residency requirements ever since he was appointed sheriff in September. He also said that the address he listed on filing papers for the upcoming election, which was the basis for the felony charges, is, in fact, his legal residence.

“That said, the vigorous defense of these charges will necessarily detract from my ability to perform my duties as Sheriff and, more importantly, will cast the staff of the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office in a negative light,” Waltz wrote. “These hard-working folks, who daily put their lives on the line to serve the public, deserve better.”

Waltz, 62, was the county’s top cop for less than six months and was seeking to win election in June.

He was appointed in September to fill the spot left by former Sheriff Erik Apperson, who abruptly resigned amid a series of departures, infighting and scandals that had roiled the 60-person department. The dysfunction was the focus of an October Sacramento Bee investigation.

Del Norte County District Attorney Katherine Micks charged Waltz Wednesday with perjury and filing false voter registration and nomination papers.

Prosecutors say he knowingly listed an address that was not his permanent residence, a violation of election laws, and thus did not meet the requirements to run for sheriff.



The owner of the property where Waltz claimed as as his residence told The Bee last week that Waltz had signed a lease for a short-term rental earlier this year. The owner said Waltz had been living there and had planned on being there for a “long, long time.”

Waltz referred a reporter to his Crescent City attorney, George Mavris who did not return messages.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss the next steps for leadership at the Sheriff’s Office during its March 22 meeting, said Gerry Hemmingsen, board chair.

“As bad as this situation is,” Hemmingsen said Tuesday, “I’m relieved that this part won’t drag out and we can move forward.”

Apperson hired Waltz as undersheriff in 2020. He previously worked for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office as an investigator.

A court date is scheduled for March 29.

This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 11:22 AM.