Leadership
Meet the Command Staff
Get to know the leaders of the Imperial County Sheriff's Office. Our command staff brings decades of combined law enforcement experience and a shared commitment to professional service and protection.
Imperial County Sheriff
Sheriff Fred Miramontes
Sheriff Fred Miramontes was elected Sheriff-Coroner-Marshal of Imperial County and assumed office in January 2023. He brings more than four decades of law enforcement experience to the position.
Sheriff Miramontes began his law enforcement career with the Brawley Police Department before joining the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in January 1980. Over the course of his 29-year career with the CHP, he served in Los Angeles County, Santa Fe Springs, and Imperial County, promoting through the ranks and ultimately retiring as a Commander.
Following his retirement from the CHP, Sheriff Miramontes was appointed Undersheriff of the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in July 2007. In this role, he served as second-in-command, overseeing departmental operations and supporting the Sheriff in managing law enforcement services throughout the county. He remained in this position until his election and swearing-in as Sheriff in January 2023.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Miramontes has demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety, leadership, and community service. His experience spans patrol operations, administration, and executive leadership, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement at both the state and local levels.
Sheriff Miramontes is a lifelong resident of Imperial County. He is a graduate of Brawley Union High School and continued his education at Imperial Valley College, National University, and San Diego State University, focusing on Criminal Justice and Public Administration. He holds an Associate degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology and is a graduate of the Riverside Sheriff's Academy, the California Highway Patrol Academy, the CHP Command Course, and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Course.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Sheriff Miramontes is actively involved in several community and professional organizations, including the California State Sheriffs' Association, the Southwestern Border Sheriffs' Coalition, the First 5 Imperial County Children and Families First Commission, the Imperial Valley Children's Committee Advisory Committee, the El Centro Kiwanis Club, the Brawley Hidalgo Society, and as a Director for the Imperial Valley Boys & Girls Club.
Undersheriff
Robert Benavidez
Undersheriff Robert Benavidez was appointed in January 2023 by elected Sheriff Fred Miramontes. He began his career with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in 2005 and has steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Deputy Recruit, Deputy, Senior Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Chief Deputy, and now Undersheriff.
Throughout his career, Undersheriff Benavidez has gained extensive experience in patrol, investigations, and administration. As a Deputy and Senior Deputy, he worked patrol assignments throughout the county, served within the Superior Courts, and was assigned to the contract city of Holtville. He also participated in Imperial County's federal drug investigations team (HIDTA).
As a Sergeant, he supervised teams in North County and Salton City and led the Off-Highway and Boating Safety Team. He later served as Police Chief for the contract City of Holtville. As a Lieutenant, he oversaw all patrol operations for three years prior to his promotion to Chief Deputy.
In his role as Chief Deputy, he managed large, complex operations, including oversight of patrol, investigative, and administrative divisions, as well as correctional operations encompassing three custodial facilities and approximately 120 staff members. He also supervised key departmental programs such as Reserve Deputies, Explorers, and Volunteer Units, and successfully secured grant funding to support facility improvements, training, equipment, transportation, and employee wellness initiatives.
A lifelong resident of El Centro, California, Undersheriff Benavidez is a graduate of Southwest High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in management from California State University San Marcos and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He has earned multiple POST certifications, including Executive Management, Management, Supervisory, and Advanced Certificates. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and the FBI National Academy (Class 290).
Chief Deputy · Specialized Units
Ryan Kelley
Chief Deputy Ryan Kelley began his career with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in 2003, after graduating from the Ben Clark Basic Peace Officer Training Academy in Riverside, California. He has been promoted through the ranks of Senior Deputy, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, and in 2023 was promoted to Chief Deputy.
Throughout his career he has held various assignments including Patrol, Field Training Officer, and Investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division. As a Sergeant, he served as Patrol Watch Commander, Field Training Officer Supervisor, DEA/HIDTA Task Force Group Supervisor, Administrative Investigations Unit Supervisor, and Commander for the Imperial County Narcotic Task Force.
Chief Deputy Kelley currently serves as the Chief of Specialized Units, where he oversees Criminal Investigations, the Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Safety Team (OHVEST), the Boating Enforcement Safety Team (BEST), the Coroner's Division, the Scientific Investigations Unit, the Crime Prevention Unit, and the Narcotic Task Force Teams.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, a POST Executive Management Certificate, a POST Management Certificate, a POST Supervisory Certificate, and Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced POST Certificates. Chief Kelley is also a graduate of the LAPD Leadership Program and the Sherman Block Leadership Institute.
Chief Deputy · Administration
Murad Masad
Chief Deputy Murad Masad began his career with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in 2006 as a Deputy Sheriff. Over the course of his career, he has promoted through the ranks of Senior Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and now Chief Deputy.
Throughout his tenure, he has served in a variety of assignments, including Investigations, OHVEST/BEST, Patrol, and Court Services. As a Sergeant, he supervised operations in Patrol, OHVEST/BEST, and Investigations, gaining extensive experience in both field and investigative operations.
Chief Deputy Masad currently serves as Chief of Administration, where he oversees several critical divisions and functions, including the Civil Division, Dispatch, Records, Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits, Information Technology (IT), Armory, Fleet Management, Legislative Representative, Region VI OES Coordinator, and the ICSO Foundation.
He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, an Executive Management Certificate, Management Certificate, Supervisory Certificate, and Advanced POST Certificate. Chief Deputy Masad is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, Class #459, and the FBI National Academy, Class #298.
Chief Deputy · Operations
Clint Erro
Chief Deputy Clint Erro joined the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in 2002 after serving two years with the Calexico Police Department. With more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, he has held a wide range of leadership roles across Patrol, Specialized Investigations, and the contract City of Holtville divisions.
Throughout his career, Chief Deputy Erro has promoted through every sworn rank, including Deputy, Senior Deputy, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. His assignments have included patrol deputy, investigator, contract Chief of Police for the City of Holtville, supervising Sergeant in investigations, specialized units Lieutenant, and SERT Commander. He currently serves as the Operations Division Chief Deputy.
Among his notable contributions, Chief Deputy Erro played a key role in developing and implementing the Wellness and Performance and Peer Support units within the Imperial County Sheriff's Office.
He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 248), the Sherman Block Leadership Institute (Class 319), the LAPD Leadership Institute, and the POST Executive Development Program.
Correctional Captain
Juan Chavarin
Correctional Captain Juan Chavarin began his career with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office in 1997 after graduating from the Imperial County Correctional Academy, Class 4-97.
Throughout his tenure, Captain Chavarin has steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Correctional Corporal, Correctional Sergeant, Correctional Lieutenant, and in 2023 was promoted to Correctional Captain.
Over the course of his career, he has held a variety of key assignments, including Jail Training Officer, Assistant Watch Commander, and Corrections Training Supervisor. As a Correctional Sergeant, he served as Jail Watch Commander, Federal Liaison Officer, Jail Administrative Sergeant, and Administrative Investigations Sergeant. As a Correctional Lieutenant, he oversaw the Programs and Education Unit and served as President of the Southern California Jail Managers Association.
Since October 2023, Captain Chavarin has overseen all aspects of operations within the Imperial County Jail system, including three jail facilities. He holds certifications from the STC Supervisory Course, STC Management Course, National Jail Command Academy, and the Jail Executive Institute.