Art Pedroza

Two SAPD police horses were assaulted when a huge fight broke out in DTSA early this morning

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 8 Comments

Six people were arrested after a large fight broke out in Santa Ana early Sunday morning as bars were closing, with more than 200 people spilling into the streets, according to KTLA.

Six people were arrested, one of them after striking a police horse named Chex, who was punched or slapped but was unfazed. The horse continued to do his job, according to the O.C. Register.

Another SAPD police horse named Willa was also assaulted, according to KTLA.

This latest DTSA embarrassment began at around 2 a.m. when a large fight broke out and then quickly grew.

The SAPD’s mounted police unit, which often patrols DTSA, called for backup when they came across the scrum.

Even when additional police showed up, the crowd did not immediately disperse.

The SAPD does not know what started the fight or the ensuing near-riot. Somehow no injuries were reported.

Five suspects were arrested on charges of public drunkenness, resisting arrest and committing an unlawful act against a police animal. None of the suspects were identified by the SAPD.

While the SAPD referred to the incident as a fluke, as such large fights have not been common in DTSA, the reality is that this is just the latest in a long series of awful crimes that have happened since DTSA was gentrified.

The gentrifiers cleared the Mexican bars out of Downtown Santa Ana and replaced them with hipster bars. But DTSA has still been a train wreck over the past few years with multiple horrible murders, including a young Vietnamese American woman who was literally stomped to death by two local Latinas, a Korean man from Irvine who was robbed and shot in a DTSA parking structure and a woman who was raped in a bar’s stairwell.

Compare this mess to what happened in Downtown Brea when it was redeveloped – that area has family establishments including not one but two first-run movie theaters and a great variety of family restaurants. What you won’t find in Downtown Brea is a ton of bars.

Is DTSA better off now? Is it?

Help plant trees at Centennial Park this Saturday

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

The People and Trees organization is inviting Santa Ana residents to participate in a tree planting event this Saturday, Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The goal is to plant ten more Weeping Willow trees at Centennial Lake, on the side opposite to Centennial Park’s main entrance.

This planting was rescheduled from two weeks ago because of rain.
Forecast for this weekend promises no rain and mostly sunny sky. However bring a light jacket as mornings can be cool.

Please forward this information to your friends, family and neighbors!

If you who are going to come to plant trees this Saturday, please RSVP to PeopleAndTreesOC@gmail.com with your name and the names of your family members or friends who are coming with you. Or text a message to (949) 856-9926.

Directions to Planting Site for February 23, 2019:

Enter Centennial Park through is main entrance (from Edinger Ave) and park in the first parking lot on its left, close to the lake.
From there, walk around the lake on the sidewalk on its left to the planting site on the opposite side of the lake.
On the map below, this path is shown blue, solid for driving and dashed for walking, and planting spots are circled red.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday night

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Advisory: SAPD conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, February 22, 2019 in the area of 1000 N. Harbor Blvd.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, February 22, 2019. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1000 N. Harbor Blvd, in the City of Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver is.

The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2525 Main St. apartment development has been sent back to Planning

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Development, Planning, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Last night’s Public Hearing for the proposed luxury apartment development at 2525 Main St., in north Santa Ana, dragged on until midnight.

As was the case at the last public hearing for this project, two weeks ago, the speakers, for or against, pretty much mirrored each other’s comments – for hours.

Those against the project kept insisting that the project is too large, even though the project’s EIR says otherwise.

In the end Mayor Miguel Pulido firmly voiced his opposition to the project, which was no surprise since he has had a bone to pick with the project’s developer. Pulido believes, wrongly or rightly, that the developer backed his opponent, Sal Tinajero, in last year’s General Election. Pulido won, but it was too close for comfort.

Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas followed suit – and that too was no surprise. He too was upset because the developer allegedly supported Roman Reyna, in Ward 4. While Reyna won he later had to resign from the City Council, effective March 1, because he fudged his campaign paperwork and got caught. Reyna never should have been on the ballot in the first place!

The rest of the City Council was able to salvage the project by sending it back to the Planning Agency.

Near the end of the meeting, the developer proposed “significant changes” such as reducing the project from 476 apartments to about 385 to 395 units and lowering the tallest part of the project by up to 40 feet, according to the O.C. Register.

I don’t think the NIMBY’s in the adjacent Park Santiago neighborhood will settle for anything above 200 units.

This has to be a nightmare for the developer. It could take a long time to resolve.

I don’t think the developer will consider building single family homes. He generally develops apartments. I also don’t know if he can afford to cut the density as much as the NIMBYs would like.

As for Pulido, he is terming out in two years but he really seems to be rejuvenated. He has been at this a long time but he has not lost a step.

The rest of the City Council still has to sort out who they will appoint to replace Reyna – and then the jockeying to replace Pulido in two years will begin in earnest.

The SAPD is still looking for an armed robbery suspect from 2017

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Advisory: Santa Ana PD is bringing back our #MostWantedWednesday series!

On October 18, 2017 Santa Ana PD detectives released pictures and video surveillance footage of an armed robbery that occurred at 617 E. 17th Street – Santiago Food Mart-76 Gas Station. This armed robbery suspect remains unidentified and we are requesting media and public assistance to get suspect identified.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Location: 617 East 17th Street. Santiago Food Mart-76 Gas Station

Suspect: Male White, 40-45, 5’7” to 5’9” tall, 170-190 lbs., was wearing a black hoodie with “CALIFORNIA” on the front, blue jeans, beige baseball cap and a blue/white bandana around his neck.

On 10/17/17, at 9:50pm, the suspect entered the store and approached the two cashiers. The suspect quickly pulled out a silver and gray semi-auto handgun and a pink tote bag. The suspect pointed the firearm at the female cashier and ordered her to put the money from the registers into the bag. The cashiers complied with the suspects demands. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction with the bag containing the money.

Surveillance Video:

Anyone with information identifying the suspect in this case is asked to contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is searching for a vehicle used in a carjacking

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Request Assistance In Locating Vehicle Used In Carjacking

On 1-27-2019, SAPD officers handled a carjacking incident that occurred at Windsor Park, 2915 W. La Verne Ave. Two male suspects and a female suspect who was armed with a handgun took the victim’s vehicle at gunpoint.

On 1-28-2019, a male later identified as Alberto Beltran (30) was captured on camera dropping the victim’s vehicle off in the 300 block of S. Sullivan. He was then observed getting into the pictured gold Acura and fleeing the scene. On 2-14-19, Suspect Beltran who had been identified as one of the three suspects involved in the 1-27-2019 carjacking was arrested by SAPD Patrol Officers.

Video Surveillance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQaPascxLdA

SAPD Robbery Detectives are releasing pictures and video of the gold colored Acura, which was observed in the video picking up suspect Beltran as he dropped off the victim’s vehicle in the 300 block of S. Sullivan. Detectives believe the same vehicle may have been involved in the original carjacking and was possibly driven by one of the outstanding suspects.

The outstanding female suspect is described a Hispanic, 20’s, heavyset, dark-skinned, possibly multiple tattoos on her left arm and wearing glasses. She was armed with an unknown type of handgun, which is still outstanding. The additional male suspect is only describes as a male Hispanic in his 20’s.

Detectives are looking for assistance in locating the gold colored Acura and information on its owner. Anyone with information is asked to contact Robbery Detective Prewett at DPrewett@santa-ana.org or 714-245-8323.

The four victim’s of Sunday’s fatal DUI crash in Santa Ana have been identified

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Advisory: Update- Victims Identified – Quadruple Fatality – 4th Street & Tustin Ave

Driver: Jose Alberto Avila-Rosas (31 years of age)- Santa Ana

Passengers:

Ziomara Zaragoza (23) – Garden Grove
Antonio Alonso Santibanez (23) – Orange
Prisma Yuliana Montoya (34) – Santa Ana

Details:On Sunday February 17th, 2019 at 0229 hours, SAPD Officers were dispatched Code 3 (lights and sirens) to the area of ‪4th Street‬ and Tustin Avenue for a reported two vehicle traffic collision with both vehicles being overturned. The vehicles were found in the eastbound lanes of 4th west of Tustin. A calling party reported the occupants in a white Chevy Silverado were trapped and the vehicle was catching fire. An off-duty firefighter and his wife, an off-duty nurse, were passing by and stopped to render aid. Officers arrived on scene and found the occupants of the white truck unresponsive and trapped inside the vehicle. The driver of the black Jeep Wrangler was found lying in the roadway adjacent to the vehicle and was able speak to officers.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and determined all four occupants of the white truck were deceased as a result of the collision. The 28-year-old driver of the black Jeep, identified as Vincent Michael Calvo of Buena Park, appeared to be extremely impaired at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries before being later released and arrested for suspicion of DUI. He faces four counts of murder as well as felony DUI.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the collision and handled the investigation. Investigators have secured surveillance video, which shows the black Jeep traveling westbound on ‪4th Street‬ and the white Chevrolet pickup truck traveling southbound on Tustin when the Jeep fails to stop for the red signal light before entering the intersection and broadsiding the truck. The investigation is on-going and anyone possibly having any information regarding this collision is asked to contact Collision Investigator – Corporal ‪Brett Nelson‬ at ‪(714) 245-8208‬.

The SAUSD will conduct a special school board election on Nov. 5

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2019 Elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Bruce T. Bauer, Carolyn Torres, Education, Elections, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

After two regular board meetings and four special board meetings, the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) was unable to fill the vacancy on their School Board that resulted from the election of SAUSD School Board Member Ceci Iglesias (R) to the Santa Ana City Council. As such, they did not meet the February 9 deadline under state law to fill the vacancy by appointment, and the County Superintendent of Schools must call a special election for SAUSD, according to the OC Political Blog.

The special election won’t happen any time soon. It has been set for Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The regular election for the next term for the same School Board seat will be less than a year later on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

On December 11, the SAUSD School Board voted to hold an appointment process. Applications were due January 3. As we previously disclosed a few individuals asked for applications but there were no replies from the SAUSD.

The School Board held a special meeting on January 8 to interview the 10 applicants. During that meeting, 2 applicants were ruled ineligible because they did not live in the School District boundaries, and 3 finalists were picked from the 8 eligible applicants, including Carolyn Torres, a very liberal public school teacher, and Bruce Bauer, an attorney who previously ran for the SAUSD School Board then announced after he lost that race that he was now identifying as a homosexual.

At three special SAUSD School Board meetings in January, the SAUSD School Board Board deadlocked 2-2 on the appointee for the vacancy, with Board Members Rigo Rodriguez and Alfonso Alvarez voting to appoint Torres and Board Members John Palacio and Valerie Amezcua voting to appoint Bauer. Because the SAUSD School Board Members were unable to pick a replacement for Iglesias in time the voters will now choose that candidate.

It should be noted that all of the current SAUSD School Board Members are liberal Democrats, as are Torres and Bauer. And all of these individuals are known shills for the public school teachers’ union. However about 40% of the local voters are registered as Decline to State voters and about 25-30% are Republicans. These voters have no representation on the SAUSD School Board.

Other local candidates who turned in applications to repace Iglesias included:

Shaulyn Barban (NPP), an 18-year-old high school senior
Irma Macias (D), a Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Commissioner, who came in 6th in the 2018 election for City Council, Ward 2
Mark McLoughlin (D), a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner and former Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee, who came in 5th in the 2016 election for SAUSD
Jesus Montoya (D), a community college counselor
Gisela Contreras (R), an insurance brokerage account manager

It is very likely that Angie Cano, a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner who has run for the SAUSD School Board three times and came close to winning in 2016, according to Ballotpedia, will run again this November. She will likely be the only pro school choice candidate on the ballot. She would be our pick to replace Iglesias.

Interestingly if the Santa Ana City Council cannot figure out by March 31 who to appoint to replace Roman Reyna, who is resigning from the City Council effective March 1, then they too will have to put a Special Election to the voters. That election will be held concurrently with the SAUSD School Board Special Election, on Nov. 3.

The SAUSD School Board is seeking applicants for the Measure I Bond Oversight Committee

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana, SAUSD, Taxes Leave a comment

The SAUSD Board of Education seeks applications to fill 7 spots on the Bond Oversight Committee, which oversees the expenditure of Measure I funds and communicates its findings to the Board and the public. Deadline to apply is Feb. 19, 2019. Click here for more information.

ABOUT THE CITIZENS BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

State Law requires the appointment of a local Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Measure “I”. The purpose of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee is to:

Actively review and report on the expenditure of voter-approved bonds
Receive and review copies of annual performance and financial audits
Present an annual written report to the Board of Trustees
Education Code Section 15278 requires that the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee inform the public concerning the expenditure of revenues received from bond sales pursuant to Measure “I”. The Oversight Committee is comprised of individuals from local businesses, senior citizen organizations, organizations involved with schools, a bona fide tax payers’ organization, as well as involved parents of children residing in the Santa Ana School District.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education for the Santa Ana Unified School District seeks applications to fill a total of seven seats on the Bond Oversight Committee.

The purpose of the Bond Oversight Committee is to oversee the expenditure of Measure I funds and to communicate its findings to the Board and the public in order to promote the proper expenditure of school bond funds as voters intended and the efficient completion of projects.

One applicant will be chosen from each the following representative groups to serve a two-year term. Appointment to the Committee will require attendance at quarterly Committee meetings.

SAUSD parent
SAUSD parent: Active in PTA or in school site council
Active in a senior citizen organization
Active in the business community within the District
Active in a taxpayer’s organization
General member
General member

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of California, and reside within the district’s geographic boundaries. Applicants may not be an employee or official of the district, nor a vendor, contractor, or consultant of the District.

The Communications Office will be accepting the applications.

Applications may be accessed via this link or requested from the Communications office at (714)558-5555, or obtained at the Santa Ana School District office located at 1601 E Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Please submit your application no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 19, 2019

A man was arrested after four people were killed in a suspected DUI crash in Santa Ana early this morning

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD 3 Comments

Four people died in a horrific traffic accident early this morning in Santa Ana when Vincent Michael Calvo, a 28-year-old Buena Park man, allegdly sped through a red light and struck another vehicle, in what police suspect was a DUI crash.

On Sunday February 17th, 2019 at 0229 hours, SAPD Officers were dispatched Code 3 (lights and sirens) to the area of ‪4th Street‬ and Tustin Avenue for a reported two vehicle traffic collision with both vehicles being overturned. The vehicles were found in the eastbound lanes of 4th west of Tustin.

A calling party reported the occupants in a white Chevy Silverado were trapped and the vehicle was catching fire. An off-duty firefighter and his wife, an off-duty nurse, were passing by and stopped to render aid. Officers arrived on scene and found the occupants of the white truck unresponsive and trapped inside the vehicle. The driver of the black Jeep Wrangler was found lying in the roadway adjacent to the vehicle and was able speak to officers, according to the SAPD.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and determined all four occupants of the white truck were deceased as a result of the collision. The 28-year-old driver of the black Jeep, identified as Vincent Michael Calvo of Buena Park, appeared to be extremely impaired at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries before being later released and arrested for suspicion of DUI. He faces four counts of murder as well as felony DUI.

A 13-year-old boy put out a house fire with a garden hose early this morning in Santa Ana

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fires, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

A 13-year-old boy saved the day early this morning when he grabbed a garden hose and extinguished a fire at a home located at the 4100 block of W. 5th St., in Santa Ana, according to the OCFA.

The boy took action after a smoke alarm sounded. Firefighters showed up at the scene at 6:06 a.m. and the fire was completely out by 6:14 a.m. The firefighters commended the boy for his quick action. They also credited two housemates for getting the victims out of the burning house.

One adult male in his 40s suffered critical burns and ad adult female in her 40s suffered moderate burns. They were taken to the UCI Burn Center.

Five people were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross stepped in to help them to relocate.

Details were not available regarding the cause of the fire.

This week’s Cochino List includes El Pollo Loco, Popeyes and Inka Grill

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Insects, OC Health Care, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Feb. 7 to Feb. 14, 2019 . Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

Nam Giao Restaurant, 10145 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove, Closed: Feb. 14, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Citrus Cafe, 1481 Edinger Ave., Tustin, Closed: Feb. 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Pho Quang Trung, 10072 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove, Closed: Feb. 11, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Feb. 12
Popeyes, 6948 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, Closed: Feb. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Feb. 8
Inka Grill, 260 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, Closed: Feb. 8, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Feb. 8
El Pollo Loco, 88 Corporate Park, Irvine, Closed: Feb. 13, Reason: Ongoing foodborne illness investigation
The Cherry Pit, 749 W. Katella Ave., Orange, Closed: Feb. 7, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Feb. 8
Carl’s Jr., 701 S. Beach Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Feb. 13, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Feb. 13
Sweet Elle Cafe, 7251 Warner Ave., Suite L, Huntington Beach, Closed: Feb. 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Feb. 14
Costless, 1403 E. Lambert Road, Suite F, La Habra, Closed: Feb. 11, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Feb. 13
Mini market at USA Gasoline, 4601 Campus Drive, Irvine, Closed: Feb. 11, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit
Orange Tei at Anaheim Packing House, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 202-203, Anaheim, Closed: Feb. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation. Reopened: Feb. 8
Oh Those Donuts, 1734 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, Closed: Feb. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Feb. 9
Update: La Langosta at 13571 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, closed Feb. 6 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened Feb. 7.
Update: Tacos y Platillos de Mi Pueblo at 7032 Hazard St., Suite 2, Westminster, closed Feb. 5 for operating without a valid health permit, reopened Feb. 8
Update: A kitchen at Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, closed Feb. 5 because of a rodent infestation, reopened Feb. 14.

A man in his 20’s was found dead near the train tracks by W. Segerstrom this afternoon

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Santa Ana, SAPD 7 Comments

Advisory: Death Investigation – 3400 W. Segerstrom Ave. – Train Tracks

Today 2-14-2019 at 1:30 pm, SAPD Officers responded to 3400 block of W. Segerstrom Ave. regarding a possible deceased male located near the railroad tracks.

Officers located a deceased male Hispanic in his 20’s. Based on the suspicious circumstances Homicide Detectives have responded and have assumed investigation, which is ongoing.

Detectives are requesting anyone that saw any suspicious activity in the area of the 3400 block of W. Segerstrom today between the hours of 4:0 0am – 1:00 pm please call SAPD Homicide Section at (714)-245-8390.

Armory Shelters in Santa Ana and Fullerton Extend Hours Due to Rain

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fullerton, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (February 14, 2019) – With coordination and support from the California Military Department, the Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton is operating on a 24-hour basis beginning today through Saturday morning to provide shelter and protection to the homeless community during the current and predicted rain.

Due to the severe weather event in Orange County and the region, the County of Orange, in conjunction with Mercy House Living Centers Inc., is providing shelter services all day at the Santa Ana and Fullerton armories from Thursday, February 14 through Saturday morning, February 16 at 6 a.m. The armories are scheduled to resume regular operations the evening of Saturday, February 16 with operating hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Santa Ana and Fullerton armories provide a total of up to 400 beds per night. Individuals experiencing homelessness will receive a nutritious meal, a warm shower and a safe place to sleep.

In addition to the seasonal armories, the County operates the Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana and Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim. For additional information about the County’s shelters, visit the OC Housing & Community Development webpage.

Man who embezzled millions for a Santa Ana school facing felony charges

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Fraud, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

MAN EXTRADITED FROM SPAIN TO FACE FRAUD CHARGES FOR EMBEZZLEMENT OF $3.2 MILLION FROM CHARTER SCHOOL IN SANTA ANA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was extradited from Spain to face fraud charges for embezzlement of $3.2 million in public funds from a charter school in Santa Ana. Emilio Vazquez, 61, Irvine, was charged on March 3, 2009, with one felony count of misappropriation of public funds, one felony count of forgery, seven felony counts of conflict of interest in a contract, two felony counts of grand theft, and sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 and fraud or embezzlement over $500,000. Vazquez faces a maximum sentence of 19 years and eight months in state prison. He is in custody on $3.12 million bail and must prove the money came from a legal source before posting bail. Vazquez is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Feb. 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

From 2002 to 2006, Vazquez was the executive director of Albor Charter School in Santa Ana. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and Franchise Tax Board investigated this case following an audit in 2007. Charges were filed in 2009 and an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Vazquez in the amount of $2 million dollars by the Orange County Superior Court on March 30, 2009.

Vazquez was located in Spain, and in September 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice submitted a request to Spain for his extradition. In April 2010, his extradition was approved for the above listed charges. While Vazquez was released on bail in Spain, he fled to China and was not surrendered to the United States.

Vazquez was deported from China to Spain in 2019 and surrendered to the United States Marshals pursuant to his extradition order. Vazquez arrived in Orange County on Feb. 8, 2019, and was booked into the Orange County Jail.

Deputy District Attorney Nick Miller of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza