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Oceanside Private Investigator, Firearms Instructor Loses Licenses

SACRAMENTO — The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has won a hard-fought disciplinary case against an Oceanside private investigator and firearms instructor.

In January, a San Diego Superior Court Judge rejected an appeal by Jonathan Allen Butler, who was facing the revocation by DCA's Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) of his private investigator's license, his security guard registration and various permits that allowed him to carry firearms on the job and instruct others in their use.

"This case sends a firm statement that it is the Bureau's intent to protect California consumers to the best of its ability," said DCA Director Charlene Zettel.

Mr. Butler is the owner of J. A. Butler & Associates Private Investigations and B.F.A.S.T. Firearms Training in Oceanside.

The Accusation against Mr. Butler, filed in November 2004 by the California Attorney General's Office on behalf of BSIS, asserted numerous instances in which Butler lied on applications for concealed weapons permits in San Diego and Riverside counties. It also described an altercation in December 2001 in which Butler physically abused his wife.

Butler was not charged by criminal authorities in that altercation. While it is unusual for BSIS to administratively prosecute behavior that would normally be investigated by police, the egregious circumstances compelled BSIS to take action. The San Diego judge ruled that the evidence "supports a finding that (Mr. Butler) committed assault and battery" against his wife.

"In every case, we have to consider numerous factors. This case was unusual in that it involved questions of licensing fraud and physical abuse," said BSIS Chief Paul Johnson. "The abuse allegation supported a common theme reflected in all of our charges against Mr. Butler: he has a problem with the truth. The lying on the license applications alone would have cost him his licenses."

Johnson said he wanted to extend special thanks to the Attorney General's Office for its efforts in the courtroom. "This was a hard-fought battle and they did a superb job seeing the case through," he said.

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The Bureau's licensees include nearly 10,000 private investigators, more than 200,000 security guards and 2,500 security guard agencies. For more information, visit the Bureau's Web site at www.bsis.ca.gov.

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