BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Kern County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was arrested for several charges after allegedly going into the sheriff’s office property room while off-duty and taking evidence, including suspected narcotics.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on January 19, 2026, KCSO became aware of unusual circumstances happening at the KCSO Property Room.
According to the sheriff’s office, KCSO Command Staff reviewed surveillance footage and learned Sergeant Ryan Dunbier had entered the property room, which was closed due to the holiday, and possibly removed unknown items of evidence.
KCSO Sergeant{ }Ryan Dunbier in an interview with Eyewitness in March 2019. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
A criminal investigation was immediately initiated into the matter, which was investigated by the KCSO Professional Standards Unit.
KCSO said investigators obtained search warrants and coordinated with the KCSO Special Services Unit to execute the search warrants on January 20, 2026.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Dunbier’s home and allegedly recovered three items of evidence that were determined to be drug paraphernalia, one of which contained a usable amount of suspected narcotics, according to KCSO.
After a thorough criminal investigation, investigators developed probable cause to arrest 55-year-old Ryan Dunbier for:
Tampering with evidenceBurglary 2nd degreePossession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearmPossession of a controlled substanceUnder the influence of a controlled substance while armedPossession of paraphernalia
Investigators arrested Dunbier without incident and booked him into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Receiving Facility.
His bail was set at $67,500, and he subsequently posted bail, according to KCSO.
KCSO said in a release, “At the time of the incident, Dunbier was temporarily assigned to an administrative assignment in the property room, but was not on duty at the time of the incident.”
Dunbier has been employed with KCSO since 2001.
In addition to the criminal investigation, a concurrent administrative investigation is ongoing. Dunbier has been placed on administrative leave.
KSCO said for the administrative investigation, these allegations will be submitted to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for an independent decertification review.
If anyone has any information regarding this investigation, they are asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.