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Steve Kinzey, CSU Professor Accused in Biker Meth Ring, Described on 'Rate My Professor' as a 'Cool Cat'

Categories: Crazytown, Crime

steve kinzey csu prof.jpg
CSUSB
Kinzey, in dark blue, with fellow faculty members.
There have been varied reactions, today, to the arrest warrant for 10-year Cal State San Bernardino professor Steve Kinzey, who has allegedly been running a monster meth ring with 11 cohorts.

Shock. Awe. Nausea. (His father told the Times: "My son is a Christian. He's a good father of a good little girl. My son doesn't drink. My son doesn't smoke. I don't get it. He's a Ph.D."

Sheriff's officials have announced that Kinzey is a chapter president for Devils Diciples, an internationally notorious outlaw biker gang whose original turf was the SoCal desert. Among the insane possessions found in an August 26 raid of his home, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:

A pound of meth. Military body armor. Brass knuckles. A sniper rifle. An AP-9 pistol. Leather biker vests. Neo-nazi paraphernalia, including a "black flag with SS bolts."

kinzey devils diciple.jpeg
Did you see this at the front of kinesiology class?
Now you see why the FBI has been referring to him, over a six-month investigation, as the "Devil's Professor."

He's kind of a dream prof, in a way: Kinesiology by day, "Sin City"-worthy adventures by bleary-eyed night. But a man can only hold two intensive jobs on opposite ends of the moral spectrum for so long, it seems. [Update: The Atlantic Wire notes that Kinzey often used his Twitter account to post excuses for being late to class, ranging from his dad's health issues to an "unexpected phone call."]

A couple Cal State San Bernardino students on RateMyProfessor.com noticed something was wrong as far back as April, halfway into the FBI's investigation:

steve kinzey rating 1.jpg
steve kinzey rating 2.jpg
prof kinzey on the run.jpg
Beatriz Valenzuela via Twitter
Before that, his ratings had been mainly stellar, calling him a "cool cat" and saying that although "he might seem like a very tough guy... that is just the outside. You show him respect and you have a friend for life. He will help you until you get it."

A young woman who says she had Kinzey for undergrad classes Tweets that she's "surprised... but not THAT surprised."

From the Daily Bulletin:

Detectives said they are trying to determine if Kinzey sold drugs at the university. ...

"He's smarter than the average dealer," said Rosenbaum. "He was doing what he could to keep it under wraps."

We may have a lead, in that regard: Though it was probably a joke, one RateMyProfessor user wrote "Thanks for the meth" earlier today. (It has since been deleted.) But other loyal students quickly ran to his defense:

steve kinzey.jpg
Did you know the moonlighting professor? Ever take a class? Does his alter-ego come as a surprise to you, or was it clear something was up? Let us know.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

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13 comments
Psychomichael57
Psychomichael57

Dr Kinzey was a great teacher and man...He was my greatest mentor at CSUSB and helped me in every way possible from my freshman year til graduation (04-09). I learned a lot about kinesiology and even more about life from him. I wish him the best, and hope everything works out.

A sad, former student
A sad, former student

It all makes sense now. I took a few of his classes during a two year period ('08-'10) at CSUSB. I can distinctly remember a change from that first year I had him, to the second year. He was more upbeat, funny, and calm during the first year. But the next year, he seemed paranoid and anxious. He kept talking about politics instead of lecture, and would talk about racial issues in a negative way. I was shocked he never got in trouble for the things he said. I wasn't offended, but there were many students who were. The school knew about many of his so-called accusations, but never did anything. I feel Cal State will lose tons of credibility once the investigation is complete. Deep down, I feel he wasn't a racist. I'm mexican, and though I didn't know him personally, I know he would have helped me out with anything in a heart beat. I just think he got caught up in this life, and the people he hung around affected and distorted his original beliefs. Not condoning his behavior, but this is not the guy I met. Nor do I think his intentions for joining the biker club would lead to this.

Anna Maria Wilson
Anna Maria Wilson

one thing I know Steve was not a racist. I used to tease him and tell him if I saw him on the streets I would cross it  and think he would call me the N word.  I wouldnt be surprised if Steve was hiding out in Compton because he would fit right in LOL. I left CSU faculty 5 years ago and hope to return this year I was really looking forward to seeing him again. He helped set up a  pulmonary rehab group in Riverside. I will miss you friend

amysterling
amysterling

This is from my daughter:  I wish i could tell Steve he's hurt everyone who loves him. If i could talk to him i would tell him i love him and i wish he would turn himself in because he can't go down like this. I wish he never stopped talking to my dad because if he was still friends with dad he wouldnt have done this. Hes just hurting more people than he thinks.

Former Student
Former Student

Com'mon!  We all knew he was shady.  Ya, he was a nice guy but had no ethical bone in his body.  I was a student with him over 7 years ago and even back then he was a flake, didn't show up for class, had excuse after excuse, and only talked about crap during class.... I didn't learn anything other than how he couldn't wait to get tenured in so he wouldn't have to listen to anyone bitch anymore.  Sorry Kinzey, you are a smart man and it's a real shame you couldn't have used your outgoing personality to to teach us students.  If you really "cared" for us students, you would have.

amysterling
amysterling

This happened over the last few years. He wasn't this way before. He went with this gang's business and worked hard to excel . . . dealing . . . He always marched to the beat of his own drummer but not like this. Since he's on the run, he could lose his life. I hope he realizes how dangerous it is for him right now and turns himself in.

bigriggs
bigriggs

If this is true, take away the kid and throw his loser ass in jail.

Wrestlingmaster_1
Wrestlingmaster_1

Not everyone is perfect, He is a good man with a big heart. So if you dont know him, keep your comments to yourself

bigriggs
bigriggs

Good people are not meth dealers.

bigriggs
bigriggs

Do you think all the peoples lives he ruind being a meth dealer think he's a good guy?

Wrestlingmaster_1
Wrestlingmaster_1

He did it to fit in. When he taught he loved the audience. I know deep down he did this for Bike club just to fit in. No one is perfect, he just made a big mistake. 

neurocontrol
neurocontrol

I have know Doc since the mid '90s when he taught at The University of Mississippi.  I am very shocked.  He was one of the nice and most helpful professors I ever had.  If you worked in his class he would do anything he could to help you get it.  I had him for every class he taught in grad school. This blows me away. 

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