Inmate alleges harassment, retaliation by Tulare County sheriff deputies during public comment

During the public‑comment period, Michael Mulholliman told the Board of Supervisors he had been incarcerated at a county facility and alleged harassment and retaliation by a sheriff’s deputy while he was detained.

Mulholliman said he spent four months in custody and that a deputy retaliated after he filed a grievance by telling local gang members he was a “snitch.” “I was there for 4 months. My life is put in danger by deputy,” he said in the meeting’s public‑comment period. He told the board he has sought remedies from multiple agencies and organizations, including the California Civil Rights Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the ACLU, the Department of Justice, the FBI and the state attorney general’s office.

Mulholliman described being woken repeatedly, being served last at meal time and being locked in his room; he said the conduct forced him to seek mental‑health counseling. He said he is on probation and said he fears retaliation if he must appear in court because he has to pass the sheriff’s office. “They put that lady put my life in in in immediate danger and didn't care,” he added.

Board response: the chair thanked him for comment and asked whether there were other comment cards; no action or staff response was recorded during the meeting. Mulholliman said he planned to file a claim with the county after the meeting.

Ending: the speaker’s remarks were public comment; no investigation or staff response was announced during the meeting. Mulholliman said he had already contacted multiple state and federal agencies about his allegations.