New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Courts

Parole denied for Santa Ana man who beat an infant girl to death in 1994

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release: June 13, 2013

PAROLE DENIED FIVE YEARS FOR INMATE CONVICTED OF BEATING-MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND’S INFANT DAUGHTER IN 1994

SANTA ANA –The Board of Parole Hearings (Board), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation denied parole for five years today for a man convicted of beating and murdering an infant child in 1994. Celerino Ochoa, 36, formerly of Santa Ana, is currently being held at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Ochoa was sentenced Jan. 19, 1996, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty by jury of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney David Brent. Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Odwald appeared at today’s hearing to oppose Ochoa’s parole. Continue reading→

Former teacher charged with sex crimes against a relative, starting when she was 5

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: June 13, 2013

FORMER TEACHER CHARGED WITH 1990S SEXUAL ASSAULT OF FEMALE RELATIVE BEGINNING WHEN VICTIM WAS 5 YEARS OLD

*A possession of child pornography investigation is ongoing

SANTA ANA – A former teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a female relative in the 1990s beginning when the child was 5 years old. Robert Ornelas, 62, Santa Ana, is charged with two felony counts of lewd acts on a child with sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Ornelas is being held on $100,000 bail in this case and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon, Thursday, June 13, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

OCDA opposing the parole of Santa Ana man who beat an infant girl to death

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release: June 12, 2013

OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF INMATE CONVICTED OF 1994 BEATING-MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND’S INFANT DAUGHTER

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a man convicted of beating and murdering an infant child in 1994. Celerino Ochoa, 36, formerly of Santa Ana, is currently being held at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Ochoa was sentenced Jan. 19, 1996, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty by jury of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney David Brent. Ochoa is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings (Board), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana plans to shut down 17 more medical marijuana dispensaries

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Drugs, Health and Medical, Marijuana, Santa Ana 6 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Advisory: CITY OF SANTA ANA CONTINUES PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT ON ILLEGAL POT SHOPS

Marijuana Dispensaries issued notices to cease operations or face continued enforcement action

SANTA ANA, CA (June 11, 2013) – The unanimous California Supreme Court decision on May 6, 2013, in the City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Center validated a city’s authority to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The City Attorney’s office reviewed the City’s current ordinance, compared it to that of the city of Riverside, and found it to be substantially similar. Continue reading→

Gang banger sentenced for shooting a man during a robbery in Santa Ana

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Courts, Crime, Gangs, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 08CF2288: June 7, 2013

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE PLUS 25 YEARS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOOTING-MURDER OF MAN DURING ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

*An unidentified accomplice is outstanding in this case

FULLERTON – A criminal street gang member was sentenced today to life in state prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 25 years to life in state prison for the shooting-murder of a man, whom the defendant had intended to rob. Albert Lubo Ruedas, 25, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury June 15, 2011, of one felony count of special circumstances murder in the commission of a robbery and for a criminal street gang purpose and one felony count of street terrorism. The sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm and criminal street gang activity were found true.

The defendant is a member of an Anaheim Hispanic criminal street gang. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 29, 2008, 46-year-old Daniel Jimenez Lopez was walking home alone on Sullivan Street in Santa Ana. The victim is not a gang member. Armed with a firearm, Ruedas and an unknown accomplice ran up to the victim with the intention of robbing him. Continue reading→

Man busted by the SAPD to be arraigned for sex trafficking and pimping

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0801: June 3, 2013

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF FEMALE VICTIM AND PIMPING HER AND TWO OTHERS AFTER POSTING AD ON SEX WEBSITE

*Defendant was arrested in undercover sting operation

SANTA ANA – A man arrested in an undercover sting operation will be arraigned tomorrow for sexually trafficking one woman and pimping three women for financial gain after advertising the victims on a sex website. Harvey Rashad McNight, 29, San Diego, is charged with one felony count of human trafficking, three felony counts of pimping, and three felony counts of pandering by procuring. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 28 years in state prison. McNight is being held on $150,000 bail and is scheduled for a post-preliminary hearing arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man sentenced to life for killing his lover with a rock and stealing his stuff

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0093: June 3, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR MURDERING LOVER BY BEATING HIM WITH ROCK TO STEAL VICTIM’S MONEY, CAR, AND ELECTRONICS

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced Friday, May 31, 2013, to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for murdering his lover by beating him to death with a rock in order to steal the victim’s car, money, and valuables. Jose Fuentes, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, March 20, 2013, of one felony count of murder with special circumstance sentencing enhancements for murder by lying in wait, murder in the commission of a robbery, and murder in the commission of a burglary. He was also found guilty of one felony count each of first degree robbery and first degree residential burglary. Continue reading→

Man sentenced for killing wife after fighting about his gambling and cheating

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF0864: June 3, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING WIFE AFTER MARITAL DISCORD OVER HIS GAMBLING AND CHEATING

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced Friday, May 31, 2013, to 25 years to life in state prison for murdering his wife after she asked him to move out of their home for gambling away $100,000 in pension money and learning of his extra-marital relationship. Agustin Armaraz Espinoza, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 27, 2013, of one felony count of first degree murder. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man convicted again of raping and murdering a 22-year old woman

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Garden Grove, Orange County 1 Comment

OCDA Booking Photo

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # C-53262: May 16, 2013

MAN CONVICTED OF RAPE AND STABBING-MURDER OF 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OUTSIDE OF BAR IN 1983

*Defendant was previously convicted and sentenced to death, but case was overturned on appeal by federal district judge

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted yesterday of raping and murdering a 22-year-old woman in an alley behind a bar in 1983. The defendant was previously convicted and sentenced to receive the death penalty in this case in 1985, but his conviction was later overturned by the Federal District Court for the Central District of California on writ of habeas corpus.

Richard Raymond Ramirez, 53, was found guilty by a jury May 15, 2013, of one felony count of special circumstances murder in the commission of rape, one felony count of rape, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. Continue reading→

Woman convicted for killing a man while pretending to sell fruit

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Alejandro Romero and Gladys Romero

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2917: May 3, 2013

WOMAN CONVICTED OF ROBBERY-MURDER OF MAN AFTER PRETENDING WITH BROTHER TO BE DOOR-TO-DOOR FRUIT SALESMEN

SANTA ANA – A woman was convicted yesterday of the robbery and murder of a Santa Ana man with her brother by gaining entry into his home by pretending to be fruit salesmen. Gladys Romero, 35, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury May 2, 2013, of one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of robbery and burglary with an additional sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. A sentencing date will be set May 10, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Former SAPD cop turned P.I. convicted for defrauding his clients

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Kevin Michael Sianez

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF1569: May 2, 2013

FORMER POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING CLIENTS BY STEALING PAYMENT FOR UNPERFORMED, UNLICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WORK

SANTA ANA – A former police officer working as an unlicensed private investigator was convicted and sentenced today for defrauding his clients. Kevin Michael Sianez, 56, Fountain Valley, pleaded guilty to a court offer to 17 felony counts of grand theft by false pretense, 11 felony counts of fraudulently using an access card, two felony counts of identity theft, four felony counts of possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from a 1998 conviction for stalking, six felony counts of obtaining services through false representation, and one felony count each of perjury by declaration, computer access and fraud, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Sianez also pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count each of unlawful representation as a private investigator, engaging in the business of private investigation, and doing business without a valid license with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000 and property damage over $65,000. Sianez was sentenced to four years in state prison stayed and ordered to serve one year in jail and make monthly restitution payments of $5,000 until he fulfills the total losses of over $187,000. Continue reading→

Drunken Santa Ana driver convicted for accident that killed a 2-year old boy

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Angel Alberto Cruz Perez, 24, Santa Ana

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF3062: May 3, 2013

DRUNKEN DRIVER SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRASHING INTO MOTHER CROSSING STREET WITH HER TWO CHILDREN AND KILLING HER 2-YEAR-OLD BOY

SANTA ANA – A drunken driver was sentenced today to 16 years in state prison for killing a 2-year-old boy by crashing into the toddler and his mother and baby sister as they crossed the street. Angel Alberto Cruz Perez, 24, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury March 28, 2013, of one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing bodily injury, hit and run with permanent injury or death, and one misdemeanor count of driving a motor vehicle without a license, with sentencing enhancement allegations for causing great bodily injury to a child under 5 years old, fleeing the scene, and an additional injured person. Continue reading→

Garden Grove woman convicted of torturing her husband and severing his penis

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11ZF0127: April 29, 2013

WOMAN CONVICTED OF TORTURING MAN, WITH WHOM SHE HAD A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP, BY CUTTING OFF HIS PENIS AFTER TYING HIM TO BED

SANTA ANA – A woman was convicted today of torturing a man, with whom she had a romantic relationship, by cutting off his penis after tying him to his bed following an argument. Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of torture, one felony count of aggravated mayhem, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. She faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole at her sentencing June 28, 2013, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

OCDA declares war on pimps and other human traffickers

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana, Women 2 Comments

Tony Rackauckas

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2013

OCDA TO PUT THEIR “HEAT” ON SLAVE-OWNER PERPS

*DA Rackauckas introduces new Unit to combat human exploitation and trafficking

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced today at the Victims’ Rights March and Rally a new unit to prosecute Human Exploitation And Trafficking (HEAT) cases. Orange County is a diverse melting-pot with a large ethnic population, multiple tourist attractions, and is surrounded by large, urban counties, which has made it susceptible to human traffickers. Human trafficking cases have recently increased in Orange County, with many cases involving underage victims and/or brothels. The new Unit was created to deal with this increasing problem. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man gets 61 years to life for impregnating an 11-year old relative

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Mariano Antonio Castro

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF1301: April 26, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 61 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR IMPREGNATING 11-YEAR-OLD FEMALE RELATIVE AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER FOR NINE YEARS

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 61 years to life in state prison for sexually abusing a female relative for nine years and impregnating her at the age of 11. Mariano Antonio Castro, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 13, 2013, of two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, three felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and inflicting great bodily injury were found true. Continue reading→