UPDATE: On October 20, 2017, a judge found that no crime was committed by Mike Lipsitz and has expunged this from his record.
The field representative to Third County Supervisor James Ramos was arrested Wednesday evening, after Sheriff’s deputies said he brought drugs to a jail inmate. According to a Sheriff’s Department press release, deputies began an investigation after they discovered that narcotics were being brought into the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in Devore. Deputies determined that Joshua Rhodes, 25, an inmate at the jail’s fire camp, was receiving the narcotics, and that Mike Lipsitz, 53, of Landers, was a frequent visitor of Rhodes. About 7 p.m. Wednesday, Lipsitz arrived for a scheduled visit with Rhodes at the fire camp. Shortly after his arrival, deputies interrupted the visit and alleged that Lipsitz had brought narcotics to Rhodes. Mike Lipsitz was arrested for investigation of bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility, booked at the West Valley Detention Center, with his bail set at $25,000. Lipsitz posted a bail bond and was released early Thursday morning. Lipsitz emphatically denied to Z107.7 that he brought drugs to the jail or had them in his possession. Sheriff John McMahon said, “When I learned of this disappointing news, I contacted Supervisor James Ramos and notified him of the investigation and arrest of one of his employees. Supervisor Ramos immediately terminated Lipsitz’ employment with the county.” McMahon further stated, “Supervisor Ramos was shocked by the news, and assured me he has zero tolerance for any type of criminal behavior.” Lipsitz is a former reporter for Z107.7 who resigned last May to become the County Supervisor’s field representative. Lipsitz is also the chairman of the Municipal Advisory Council and the honorary mayor of Landers. In March, Joshua Rhodes was arrested at the Twentynine Palms Stater Brothers grocery store after a sheriff’s deputy recognized him as a felon who was wanted on drug warrants, and for possession of heroin and brass knuckles. Joshua Rhodes was sentenced in December to four years in county prison.
