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Pismo Beach officer resigns after journalist outs their affair

July 22, 2022

Sgt. Adrian Souza

By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE

A Pismo Beach police sergeant resigned last month after an investigation revealed he engaged in sex acts with a local broadcast journalist while on duty, a relationship that allegedly went south after one of the parties, both married to others, wanted more.

The consensual relationship began shortly after Sgt. Adrian Souza pulled over KCBX reporter Angel Russell for a traffic violation in June 2020, according to a complaint Russell submitted to the Pismo Beach Police Department.

During the relationship, Souza and Russell would meet while the sergeant was on duty. They would meet at locations including Judkins Middle School and the Shell Beach tennis courts.

Souza also went over to Russell’s apartment several times while on duty, in uniform and driving a police vehicle. They engaged in sex acts during those instances, according to Russell’s complaint.

On Feb. 15, 2022, Russell submitted a written complaint to Pismo Beach Police Chief Jeff Smith. Russell provided Pismo Beach police text exchanges, photos and videos pertaining to her relationship with Souza.

The following day, Smith ordered an internal affairs investigation and Souza was placed on paid administrative leave.

During the investigation, Souza admitted to having oral sex while on duty, documents show.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Smith notified Souza of his intent to fire him. Souza violated 13 city policies, including neglect of duty, willful misconduct, engaging in on-duty sexual activity and criminal, dishonest or disgraceful content.

Souza resigned on June 10, prior to his termination becoming effective. He is not facing any criminal charges.

On Thursday, the city of Pismo Beach released documents related to the investigation, as well as a statement on the matter.

“The City of Pismo Beach has made available redacted records pertaining to former Sergeant Souza, consistent with California law,” the statement said. “These records and related investigation materials indicate that the former officer engaged in inappropriate conduct while on duty with a consenting adult partner. When first alerted to this conduct, the city took action within hours and proceeded to conduct a lengthy and thorough investigation. The Sergeant is no longer a member of the Pismo Beach Police Department as he chose to resign prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary process.”


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He dumps her so she then proceeds to destroy his life. What a POS she is. They were both consenting adults that were married and both chose to have an affair. She is at fault just as he is. So she destroys his life and goes on like nothing. Hopefully karma gets her.


27

I met her and spoke with her for about an hour at my place of business…. wow…what a hot mess. Geez if a good guy cop has that much lack of judgement and can’t put it together that Angel ain’t no angel ..then… he really isn’t a good guy and I really don’t trust him carrying a loaded gun. Dude thinks with his lil brain.


10

First, I don’t care Souza cheated on his primary relationship for several years or that he served in the armed forces or that others have done worse or that he’s kept his job for 16 years or that he can’t control himself around cheap women or that he regrets what he did or that he has sympathetic friends.

My point is he violated 13 city policies, including neglect of duty, willful misconduct, engaging in on-duty sexual activity and criminal, dishonest or disgraceful content.

Thank you, Chief Smith I hope you took action because it was the right thing to do.


23

I, in no way shape or form, condone either person’s actions but why did you find it necessary to say “cheap” women?


-9

Maybe a poor choice of words, what would you call a married person that has sex with a married police officer while on duty at a middle school parking lot in a police vehicle, then turns him in? Adventurous, thrill seeking, daring, bold, open minded, over friendly, easy, immoral, desperate, deviant, freakish, disgraceful.

You can choose


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