San Diego, CA

San Diego police officer accused of planting spyware put on unpaid leave

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2025

San Diego police officer accused of planting spyware put on unpaid leave

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A veteran San Diego police officer who was forced by a judge to turn in her firearms after finding she stalked her ex-husband has been put on unpaid leave by the force.

Stephanie Cockrell has been given an ultimatum: apply to transfer to a non-sworn position, take an unpaid leave of absence, or resign, according to court documents she filed Wednesday.

“I was only offered the three options above, or I would be terminated,” Stephanie wrote in a declaration obtained by Team 10.

A judge ordered Stephanie, who has been with the department for 13 years, to turn in her firearms on Oct. 1st after finding she was “less credible” and stalked and harassed her ex-husband, Tyler Cockrell.

Team 10 reported in August that Stephanie was facing termination from the force for stalking, theft, and untruthfulness. After being sworn in as police chief last year, Scott Wahl overturned her termination and allowed her to return to duty.

San Diego police officer accused of placing spy cameras in ex-husband’s home

Hidden cameras, GPS trackers

A months-long investigation revealed Tyler accused his ex-wife of installing spyware and cameras in his home and planting a tracking device on his truck.

Stephanie fought to have her Amazon purchases kept private, but failed after Judge Charles Bell, Jr. ordered some of her online shopping history to be released.

Amol Brown/Team 10

Officer Stephanie Cockrell refused to answer questions from Team 10 when leaving a heated hearing in August, where she was grilled about buying surveillance items.

The records revealed Stephanie bought spyware Tyler found in his home, Bell said.

Her purchases included GPS trackers, 11 cameras, and voice recorders.

Tyler also alleged his ex-wife, who admitted in 2016 to hacking the phone of an officer she had an affair with, stalked his girlfriend who is also a San Diego police officer.

The judge, who reviewed a photo of Cockrell’s truck outside the girlfriend’s residence, sided with Tyler and issued a restraining order barring Cockrell from contacting her ex-husband or his children and from possessing firearms or body armor.

Team 10 asked San Diego police for comment on Oct. 7th after learning about the restraining order.

Judge says San Diego police officer stalked ex-husband, orders her to surrender firearms

Officer suing for discrimination

Court records show that on the same day, the department sent Stephanie a letter stating the restraining order “came to their attention.”

“I was directed to immediately relinquish any department-issued weapons and controlled items, including my service pistol, Ruger Carbine, shotgun, AR-15, handgun magazines, police radio, high-capacity magazines, OC, baton, taser, body armor, electronic key card, badge(s), and identification card,” Stephanie wrote in her declaration.

Last month, the officer announced she was suing SDPD for discrimination.

Her attorney told reporters after Wahl let her return to work, rumors spread that she had an affair with him , which she denies.

“She became the target of sexist and degrading rumors that she had an affair with Chief Wahl, that she traded sex for leniency,” said Mila Arutunian, Cockrell’s employment attorney.

Screenshot 2025-10-16 at 3.57.11 PM.png — Employment attorney Emilia Arutunian says San Diego Police failed to protect officer Stephanie Cockrell from sexist discrimination.

Team 10 reported in August the City of San Diego paid over $37,000 to a law firm to launch a confidential investigation into allegations made against Wahl.

Stephanie said in her legal claim last month an anonymous letter sent to the city council alleged she had an affair with the chief and triggered an internal affairs investigation.

‘Heightened personal safety concern’

The officer, who said she has no criminal record or history of violence, is now asking the court to grant her an exemption so she can get both her personal and service-issued firearms back.

She said as a female officer, she is often at a physical disadvantage.

“I have been recognized while off-duty by individuals that I previously arrested, which creates a heightened personal safety concern. Being permitted to carry a firearm while off-duty is a critical component of my ability to protect myself,” she wrote.

Court records show Stephanie was scheduled to undergo a psychological evaluation Thursday — a mandatory requirement before a court can consider restoring an officer’s right to possess firearms.

Stephanie and San Diego police did not respond to Team 10’s requests for comment before press deadline Thursday.

A judge is expected to rule on her request in November.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

32 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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