Pima County sheriff says deputy on paid leave during federal probe into social media posts

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says a deputy in his department is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service over his social media activity.

The Sheriff’s Department says Deputy Ramon Hernandez is on paid leave due to social media activity that’s under investigation.

In a roughly 2-minute video posted on Facebook and YouTube, Nanos says several residents and the U.S. Secret Service have notified his department about posts they allege to be inappropriate.

“The Secret Service is conducting a criminal investigation as we speak, and we are cooperating fully,” Nanos said. "To be clear, this Sheriff and this department does not, and will never condone violence of any kind. We hold our team to a higher standard, a level of professionalism that's above all. We expect the best out of our team at all times, 24-7; not just during their eight-hour day."

Nanos said his department’s own internal investigation would not begin until after the federal case came to a close and due process has been afforded to Hernandez.

Both the Sheriff’s Department and the Secret Service declined to respond to questions about the specific social media posts or what criminal charges Hernandez may face.

“We take all threats against our protectees seriously,” said a spokesperson with the Secret Service in an email. “As a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence.”

Hernandez’s Facebook was no longer publicly available as of Tuesday, but a document shared on conservative radio host Joe Hoft’s website shows a series of posts purportedly written by Hernandez criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza, Charlie Kirk, ICE enforcement in the U.S., and President Donald Trump — including one appearing to be from Facebook that reads “Death to pedophile, rapist trump [sic]” and another that says Kirk promoted "hate" and "racism."

KJZZ was not able to independently verify the posts.

As NPR reports, over 30 people across the U.S. have been fired, put on leave, investigated or faced calls to resign over social media activity deemed offensive or critical of Kirk, who was fatally shot at a college event in Utah on Sept. 10.