In the interview with KGET, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood shared his disappointment on the charges against former Kern County supervisor Zach Scrivner by the California Department of Justice.
Last week, after months of investigation the attorney general charged Scrivener with five felony counts including three counts of willful cruelty to a child (Penal Code 273A(A)) and two counts of possession of an assault rifle (Penal Code 30605). The charges stem from allegations of child abuse and firearm endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Despite the charges, Scrivner was released on his own recognizance.
Youngblood said he’s disappointment over the charges Scrivner faced that none of them were related to the sexual assault allegations, even though the case originally involved such claims.
“I feel like a deal was made outside the public eye, outside the courtroom, and it really is disappointing,” Youngblood told KGET about the investigation process.
Youngblood criticized the investigation process, alleging that Scrivener received special treatment due to his status, including the fact that he wasn’t arrested, booked, or fingerprinted, and was allowed to walk into court on his own recognizance.
“There’s a difference between treating someone differently than preferential treatment. He was treated differently from the very beginning because he was a sitting supervisor. He was the nephew of the sitting district attorney…” Youngblood said in the KGET interview. “Even the president of the United States was booked, photographed, and fingerprinted. Zach Scrivner was not.”
It was released today that a new restraining order has been placed on former Kern County supervisor Zach Scrivner, adding to the existing order that stops him from contacting his wife and children. This has led to the cancellation of a family law hearing that was scheduled next month.
In April 2024, Scrivner came under investigation after his aunt, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, reported that he was experiencing a “psychotic episode” and was armed. Deputies responded to his home in Tehachapi and found that Scrivner had been involved in a physical altercation with his children, which resulted in Scrivner being stabbed twice by one of the children, who was allegedly protecting a sibling from an assault. During the investigation, authorities discovered 30 firearms, psychedelic mushrooms, and other evidence of potential sexual assault.
Due to Zimmer’s role as District Attorney, the case was transferred to the California Attorney General’s Office to avoid a conflict of interest. Scrivner was not arrested, and the investigation continued over several months.
In July 2024, Scrivner resigned from his position as Kern County Supervisor, citing health issues, without addressing the allegations directly. His resignation was effective in August 2024.
On February 14, Scrivner was charged with five felony counts, including child abuse and illegal possession of assault rifles. The charges stemmed from the alleged endangerment of his children and firearm-related offenses. Scrivner pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A preliminary hearing is set on May 1, 2025.
