New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Costa Mesa

Komen OC raises breast care awareness for African American women, launches COP Day

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in African Americans, Costa Mesa, Disease, Health and Medical, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

Susan G. Komen® Orange County to Activate Circle of Promise Day on Aug. 1 Inaugural event will take place during MasCUREade Survivor Celebration and Awards Luncheon

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 27, 2015 – Susan G. Komen® Orange County will hold its inaugural Circle of Promise Day event on Saturday, Aug. 1, during its annual Survivor Celebration and Awards Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona Del Mar. At noon, community members will be encouraged to pledge their commitment to eliminate barriers to breast health services for women of color and affirm that all women, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status be granted access to treatment in order to live long, healthy lives. Four Orange County residents will be recognized for their impact on the breast cancer community and support for the Komen mission of saving lives. Continue reading→

Costa Mesa cop accused of filing a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

OC Fraud News

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF1637

Date: July 23, 2015

COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER CHARGED FOR COMMITTING INSURANCE FRAUD AGAINST CITY OF COSTA MESA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officer was charged today for committing insurance fraud by presenting a false insurance claim and making false material statements related to the claim. Ryan Patrick Natividad, 30, Corona, is charged with one felony count of insurance fraud and one felony count of making a fraudulent statement. If convicted, Natividad faces a maximum sentence of six years in jail. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Sept. 23, 2014, Natividad is accused of reporting a work-related injury to his employer CMPD. Natividad is accused of falsely claiming earlier in the day, he had struck his fist against a wall when attempting to prevent an arrestee from stumbling into the wall while escorting the arrestee from the patrol vehicle into jail. Natividad is accused of filing a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim. He was subsequently directed by CMPD to seek immediate medical attention. Continue reading→

Orange County Fair traffic and parking advisory

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, OC Fair, Traffic Leave a comment

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: OC Fair Traffic and Parking Advisory

It’s OC Fair time, and this year, it’s One Big Party! The OC Fair will be in town from July 17th – August 16th, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

We all know that along with the fair comes a large increase in traffic volume on streets adjacent to the fairgrounds. This year, the OC Fair has several promotions that will certainly have an impact on attendance and traffic.

Officer Chris Brunt, who oversees traffic control for the streets during the fair, offers these suggestions: Continue reading→

Sexual registrant arrested while he was hanging out nude on a porch

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime 1 Comment

Jeffrey Smith

Costa Mesa Police Department

Community Alert: Sexual Registrant Arrested

Shortly after 6 a.m. this morning, Costa Mesa Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on the 2100 block of Orange Avenue regarding the report of a naked male found by residents on their porch. Officers located and arrested the nude male, 43-year old Jeffrey Smith. Costa Mesa Police Detectives had been investigating Smith, since May of 2015, for several cases involving sexual battery, burglary, indecent exposure, peeping, prowling and trespassing. Those earlier cases all occurred during early morning hours on the east side of Costa Mesa.

In late April, Smith had been arrested for failing to register as a sex offender with Costa Mesa, and he was sentenced to 60 days in jail. Approximately one month later, in May, Smith was arrested in Costa Mesa for battery and trespassing charges. In early July, Smith was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender with Costa Mesa, however, upon formal review of the case by court staff, he was subsequently released from custody. Continue reading→

The 125th Orange County Fair opens this Friday

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Family, Food, music, Orange County Fair Leave a comment

The OC Fair Opens With “One Big Party” Starting This Friday

Featuring 23 Days of Food, Music, Fun and All Things Fair July 17-August 16

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 13, 2015) – The 2015 OC Fair’s 125th Celebration starts this Friday (July 17) and will continue through Sunday, August 16 (Wednesday-Sunday) with the theme One Big Party. The 23-day event will feature food, music, carnival rides, exhibits and family fun. Visit ocfair.com for the full list of events.

The celebration starts out with a bang with a full hour of free admission and parking for the first Fairgoers to join the party on Friday, July 17 from Noon-1 p.m. as part of the Free Opening Hour promotion. The Fair is open Fridays from Noon-Midnight and features every Friday: Continue reading→

Traffic accident shuts down Northbound Harbor Blvd. at Baker St.

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Costa Mesa, Traffic Leave a comment

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: *UPDATE* – Harbor Blvd. has now reopened. Northbound Harbor Boulevard Closed Due to Major Injury Traffic Collision

*UPDATE* – Harbor Blvd. has now reopened.

Northbound Harbor Blvd. is currently closed at Baker St. due to a major injury traffic collision. Southbound traffic on Harbor Blvd. is also impacted due to heavy traffic. Continue reading→

Former church volunteer convicted of molesting six boys and distributing porn

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Costa Mesa, Courts, Crime, Newport Beach, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12HF3538

Date: July 1, 2015

FORMER VOLUNTEER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER CONVICTED OF MOLESTING SIX MINOR BOYS AND POSSESSING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SANTA ANA – A former volunteer Sunday school teacher was convicted today of molesting six minor boys and possessing and distributing child pornography. Christopher Bryan McKenzie Sr., 51, Costa Mesa, was found guilty by a jury of 10 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old, one felony count of attempted lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old, four felony counts of using a minor for sex acts, two felony count of attempting to use a minor for sex acts, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, and one felony count of possession of child pornography with sentencing enhancements for substantial sexual conduct with a child and committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old against more than one victim. McKenzie faces a maximum sentence of 160 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on Sept. 4, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crimes McKenzie worked as a swimming pool cleaner. The defendant was a volunteer Sunday school teacher at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach between 2004 and 2006 and at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa. Continue reading→

Mexican-hater Ann Coulter to appear at Costa Mesa’s Barnes and Noble store on 7/1

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, mexico, Racism, Republican Party 9 Comments

The despicable racist Ann Coulter is going to be signing her new book, “Adios, America: The Left’s Plan to Turn Our Country into a Third World Hellhole,” on July 1, 2015, at 6 p.m., at the Barnes and Noble store located at 901 B South Coast Drive, Ste. 150, in Costa Mesa.

Why in the world would Barnes and Noble want to be associated with the horrible Coulter? She actually claims that Mexicans are more dangerous than ISIS! (See the video above). Coulter is an even bigger racist than Donald Trump, who was fired today by NBC/Universal after he said most Mexicans are criminals and rapists. Continue reading→

Santa Ana woman arrested as an accessory to the murder of a Costa Mesa man

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Maricella Raye Gomez-Lee, 50, a resident of Santa Ana, was arrested on Wednesday this week on suspicion of being an accesory to murder in the May 30 stabbing death of Floriberto Villasenor Cortes, a resident of Costa Mesa, who was found bleeding at the 2900 block of Peppertree Lane in Costa Mesa, at around 4:30 p.m. according to the O.C. Register.

Gomez-Lee was arrested at a home in Lake Elsinore. Continue reading→

Volunteer Sunday School teacher charged with molesting 7 boys and distributing kiddie porn

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Costa Mesa, Crime, Newport Beach, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12HF3538

Date: June 9, 2015

FORMER VOLUNTEER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TO FACE TRIAL FOR MOLESTING SEVEN MINOR BOYS AND POSSESSING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SANTA ANA – A former volunteer Sunday school teacher is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for molesting seven minor boys and possessing and distributing child pornography. Christopher Bryan McKenzie Sr., 51, Costa Mesa, is charged with 15 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old, one felony count of attempted lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old, four felony counts of using a minor for sex acts, one felony count of attempting to use a minor for sex acts, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, and one felony count of possession of child pornography with sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old against more than one victim. If convicted, McKenzie faces a maximum sentence of 234 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, June 10, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Avoid Harbor Blvd. and Adams Ave. for the next 2 hours due to a traffic collision

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Costa Mesa, Traffic Leave a comment

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: AVOID Harbor Blvd. and Adams Ave. for the next 2 hours due to traffic collision

Costa Mesa Police Department advises you to AVOID Harbor Blvd. and Adams Ave. due to a major injury traffic collision.

A traffic collision near Harbor Blvd. and Village Way has closed northbound Harbor Blvd. at Adams Ave. and will require a detour of traffic for the next 2 hours. Continue reading→

Orange County Marathon road closures coming on May 3

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Orange County, Sports, Traffic Leave a comment

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: Orange County Marathon Road Closures in Costa Mesa

This Sunday, May 3, 2015, is the Orange County Marathon. This year’s race will end at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. There will be several road closures in effect on Sunday throughout Costa Mesa.

Some of the major street closures include: Continue reading→

Costa Mesa man to face trial in the kidnapping and murder of a Santa Ana man

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Gianni Anthony Van

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Cases: 13ZF0162/12CF3070

Date: April 14, 2015

DEFENDANT TO FACE TRIAL FOR 1995 COLD CASE KIDNAPPING AND STABBING-MURDER OF MAN

*One co-defendant awaits jury trial in this case and two other co-defendants await sentencing in this case

SANTA ANA – A man will face trial tomorrow for the 1995 cold case kidnapping and stabbing-murder of another man. Gianni Anthony Van, 45, Costa Mesa, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of a kidnapping. Van faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Diane Tran, 46, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2014, to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter with a sentencing enhancement for being armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony. She faces a maximum sentence of four years at her sentencing on June 12, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-41. Continue reading→

Free PTSD care event for Veterans set for March 28

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Costa Mesa, Entertainment, Mental Health, Military, Veterans Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2015

Major Event Will Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide Among OC Vets; Provide Free PTSD Therapy

As study shows nearly half have PTSD and 20% plan suicide, coalition of veterans and health groups to hold major event to help OC vets

Mental health care for America’s veterans remains one of the great challenges facing Southern California. A new USC study released in February found that nearly 20% of Orange County veterans had made a plan to die by suicide; nearly half of those considering suicide did not receive help; and that 44% of post-9/11 veterans had PTSD. Continue reading→

Contractor convicted for stealing from public works contracts and burglary

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, irvine, Newport Beach, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13CF3959

Date: March 23, 2015

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOREMAN SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING EMPLOYEES BY TAKING $330,000 IN WAGES FROM TWO PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS AND BURGLARIZING NEIGHBOR’S HOME

*Co-defendant in this case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing tomorrow

SANTA ANA – A construction company foreman was convicted and sentenced Friday for defrauding employees of $330,000 in wages and keeping the money for himself from two public works contract. Antonio Naranjo Jr., 41, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty Friday, March 20, 2015, to 11 felony counts of taking and receiving a portion of a worker’s wage on public works project and two felony counts of recording a false and forged instrument. He was sentenced to four years and six months in state prison. Naranjo Jr. is currently serving two years and eight months in state prison for a residential burglary conviction in 2012 (Case #12HF3186) and will now serve seven years and four months in state prison.

Co-defendant and construction company owner Mustafa Mohamed Bdaiwi, 43, Irvine, is charged with 11 felony counts of taking and receiving a portion of a worker’s wage on public works project, 10 felony counts of willful failure to pay tax, four felony counts of misrepresenting facts to state compensation insurance fund, two felony counts of recording a false and forged instrument, and sentencing enhancements for property loss over $200,000. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in state prison. He is out of custody on $2 million bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing tomorrow, March 24, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55.

Naranjo Jr. was convicted of and Bdaiwi is accused of committing the following crimes: Continue reading→