CHOWCHILLA - Former Chowchilla Police Officer Tyler Hormel (35) has been fired from the city's police department following his February 8th arrest for having sexual intercourse with a minor.
Chowchilla Chief of Police Dave Riviere said, “I am deeply saddened by the arrest. My heart goes out to the victim, the family of the victim, the Hormel family, the staff at the police department, city staff, the school district and the entire Chowchilla Community. The department has concluded the internal investigation related to the arrest. Effective immediately Tyler Hormel is no longer employed by the City of Chowchilla. "
Following Hormel's arrest, the Chowchilla PD has placed the police officer on administrative leave from his job with the department while an internal investigation into the allegations is being conducted. The Madera County Sheriff's Department has released very little information on this case other than saying that the alleged misconduct is unrelated to any of the school sites Hormel was assigned.
“This circumstance is still under investigation however there is currently no evidence that indicates that any of the alleged criminal conduct occurred while he was on duty or acting in an official capacity”, stated Sheriff Jay Varney.
Madera County District Attorney David A. Linn announced that his office has filed a five count felony complaint against former Chowchilla Police Officer Tyler Hormel. Hormel is charged with five counts of rape involving a minor girl. The victim is alleged to be fourteen years or older.
Hormel was arraigned in Department 22 of the Madera Superior Court last week before the Honorable Dale Blea, who set bail at $500,000. Judge Blea set the matter for bail review and pre-preliminary review on February 16, 2016 in Department 21 with the Honorable Judge Joseph Soldani. The matter was also set for Preliminary Hearing to be held on February 26, 2016, in Department 21 with Judge Soldani.
D.A. Linn stated, “This is a very unfortunate case in which a peace officer is involved. Even though as a peace officer he should have known better than to commit these crimes, he will be held accountable as any other citizen would be.”
Hormel and his wife Jaymie live in the Madera Ranchos area of the county with three children of their own and a teenage girl that the couple adopted in December. The Madera County Sheriff's Department would not say if this case involves his own children or the teenager who just joined the family in December and bears a striking resemblance to the police officer's wife.Madera County Sheriff Detectives are conducting the criminal investigation and will be filing the case with the Madera District Attorney’s Office when it is complete. “This investigation has gone forward at the request of the Chowchilla Police Department and with their full cooperation”, Varney stated.
Chief Riviere wants to assure the community of Chowchilla that his staff is a group of dedicated, professional individuals. The alleged actions of one individual do not and should not reflect on the other members of the department.
Riviere said the city does not and will not tolerate behavior that is not consistent with that of a law enforcement officer. The police department will continue to fully cooperate with Sheriff Varney and his team as well as District Attorney David Linn and the Madera County District Attorney’s Office to ensure this case is brought to a close.
Hormel has been charged with five counts and is still in the custody of the Madera County Department of Corrections and has been on suicide watch in a segregated location away from other inmates in the jail.
The Chowchilla Elementary School District recognized Tyler Hormel as their Golden Apple Award Recipient in May of 2015. The Golden Apple Awards were established to recognize a person who has made a significant contribution to our schools. The school district said in giving Hormel this award. "Tyler is a dedicated law enforcement officer, exceptional father, wonderful husband, and employee who simply LOVES his job, the students and families he serves!"
