Chief of staff for newly elected San Joaquin supervisor arrested on felony charges
A San Joaquin County supervisor’s chief of staff, who’s a retired Stockton police lieutenant, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony soliciting of criminal acts.
Augustin Lorenzo Telly, a 26-year Stockton police veteran, was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on charges including the unlicensed sale of a firearm, conspiracy and an open charge of soliciting specified criminal acts. San Joaquin County officials said Telly will not be paid “while unable to perform his job.”
Telly, 54, is the chief of staff for San Joaquin County Supervisor Mario Gardea, whose 1st District covers much of the city of Stockton. Gardea won election to the seat in November.
Telly is slated to appear on the charges Thursday in San Joaquin Superior Court.
It’s unclear what specific act or acts Telly is accused of soliciting. The penal code section outlining the violation is broad but includes bribery, perjury, receiving stolen property, dissuading witnesses and other criminal acts.
Gardea, in a statement, called for an immediate internal investigation into the alleged corruption.
“I am shocked and disappointed to learn of the arrest of Augustine Telly. Let me be clear, I take my role as an elected official seriously, and I will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the public trust from anyone associated with my office,” Gardea said. “I have asked that this matter be investigated internally. While unable to perform his job, he will not be paid. I will fully cooperate with any investigation associated with this arrest.”
A request to San Joaquin County officials for further comment was not immediately answered Wednesday.
Telly retired from Stockton Police in 2021. He got his start in the department as a police trainee in 1994. Assignments included gang suppression and a stint in an FBI violent crimes fugitive task force.
Telly was promoted to sergeant in 2006. In 2016, he was promoted to lieutenant and led the department’s Strategic Operations Section in the Special Operation Division.
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 9:57 AM.
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