Former Mt. San Jacinto College Police Chief Kevin Segawa pleads guilty

Former Mt. San Jacinto College Police Chief Kevin Segawa pleaded guilty Wednesday to eight felonies and two misdemeanors, including bribery, perjury and misappropriation of public funds. In the negotiated plea with the Riverside County district attorney's office, Segawa may be sentenced to up to one year in jail and three years' probation. The goal was to avoid state prison time, John Pozza, Segawa's attorney, said outside court. "He's looking for closure," the Murrieta attorney said. Segawa, 39, of Menifee, was accused of receiving gifts, loans and benefits from Morgan Allen McComas, owner of Pirot's Towing in San Jacinto, who was also charged in the case. Segawa resigned after charges were filed last year. Pirot's received 85 percent of the tow calls from the college, even though several companies were supposed to share the work in what was described as an informal rotation system, according to the district attorney's office. The two misdemeanor charges are related to Segawa not filing complete reports in two arrests. One incident involved the arrest and citation of an undocumented immigrant ice cream vendor who was released to federal immigration authorities. Segawa confiscated the ice cream as evidence of illegal street vending and stored it in his home refrigerator, according to court documents. McComas, 40, of Hemet, is charged with one count of offering a bribe to a public officer and two counts of misappropriation of public funds. He pleaded not guilty. Segawa was hired in 2003 as a police officer at the college, which serves central and southwest Riverside County. He was named chief in July 2005 and placed on leave in July 2009 after authorities began investigating him. "The college does not tolerate personnel who violate the law and we are pleased this matter has been resolved," college spokeswoman Karin Marriott said in a written statement. The college cooperated with the district attorney's office. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios J. Hernandez set Segawa's sentencing for Aug. 24. A preliminary hearing for Segawa and McComas had been scheduled today. Because of the developments in the case, McComas' hearing was rescheduled to Aug. 3.