Law Enforcement Officer Arrested 

June 21, 2026 – Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on June 20, 2026, the Modesto Police Department made the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office aware of allegations involving a Modesto Police Department Officer related to an off-duty domestic violence incident that occurred in Tuolumne County in March 2026.

Upon receiving the information from the Modesto Police Department, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office initiated an independent criminal investigation.

As a result of that investigation, Officer Solomon Foketi, a four-year veteran of the Modesto Police Department, was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor domestic violence. Foketi was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail.

This is an ongoing investigation, and we will not be releasing any more information at this time.

See Modesto Police Department statement below.

Source: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office

Modesto Police Department Statement: 

The Modesto Police Department has been made aware of allegations involving an off-duty police officer related to a domestic incident that occurred in Tuolumne County.

Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Modesto Police Department staff immediately began reviewing the matter and confirmed the alleged incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office. The information was promptly referred to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, which initiated an independent criminal investigation.

As a result of that investigation, the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office arrested Officer Solomon Foketi, a four-year veteran of the Modesto Police Department, on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor domestic violence. Foketi will be booked into the Tuolumne County Jail. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol while both the criminal and administrative investigations remain ongoing.

Chief Brandon Gillespie stated, "Any allegation of criminal conduct involving a member of this department is a serious matter. We are committed to ensuring such allegations are thoroughly reviewed through both the criminal justice process and our internal administrative process."

The Modesto Police Department is fully cooperating with the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office. Because the criminal investigation is being conducted by the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, all inquiries regarding the facts of the case, arrest details, and criminal charges should be directed to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.

No further information will be released by the Modesto Police Department at this time.

Source: Modesto Police Department