New Santa Ana | Category Archives: OCDA

Stanton man to be arraigned for stabbing a Garden Grove man to death

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Stanton Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: January 14, 2014

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF VICTIM IN PARKING LOT

WESTMINSTER – A man is scheduled to be arraigned today for stabbing and murdering a victim in a parking lot. Daniel Perez Munoz, 21, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2013, in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Tustin man faces trial for attempted murder and for assaulting a cop

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Tustin Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney

Press Release, For Immediate Release: January 9, 2014

Case # 12CF1106: MAN FACES TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICER WITH A KNIFE

FULLERTON – A man who was resisting arrest faces trial today for the attempted murder of a police officer by assaulting him with a knife. Carlos Alberto Leon, 30, Tustin, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder of a peace officer, one felony count of mayhem, one felony count of aggravated assault on a peace officer, and two felony counts of deterring an executive officer, with sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury and the personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life with the possibility of parole in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin this morning, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Department N-13, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

On the night of April 12, 2012, Leon’s brother arrived at their Tustin residence and Leon is accused of becoming confrontational and threatening to kill his brother. Leon’s brother called the Tustin Police Department (TPD) to report the threat. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man charged with trying to have his ex-wife killed

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: December 23, 2013

MAN CHARGED WITH SOLICITING MURDER OF EX-WIFE DURING CHILD SUPPORT AND CUSTODY BATTLE

SANTA ANA – A man has been charged with soliciting the murder of his ex-wife during the pendency of child support and custody family court hearings. William John Wallace, 33, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and two felony counts of solicitation to commit murder. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. The People will request Wallace be held without bail at his arraignment today, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

O.C. Clerk-Recorder helps to put man behind real estate fraud behind bars

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
NEWS RELEASE, UPDATE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 19, 2013
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

Man Behind $3.5 Million Fraudulent Real Estate Scheme Sentenced to Jail

Last Friday, convicted felon, Blair Christopher Hanlon, 50, of Long Beach, was sentenced to four years behind bars for his involvement in a fraudulent real estate scheme in which he stole more than $3.5 million from unsuspecting victims. Continue reading→

The OCDA clears the SAPD of wrongdoing in the shooting of Hallstrom and Mock

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The OCDA has published a letter regarding the Santa Ana Police Department’s officer-involved-shooting of Jason Hallstrom and Travis Mock. The letter, “OCDA Legal Conclusion Officer-Involved-Shooting – Jason Hallstrom and Travis Mock,” is available here.

As expected the OCDA has found that Santa Ana Police Officers Pete Picone and John Rodriguez had no criminal culpability in the shooting of Hallstrom and Mock on March 15, 2013. Hallstrom eventually died of his injuries while Mock is still on trial on various charges. Continue reading→

Man who beat Santa Ana resident to death with an axe handle is sentenced

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jorge Santiago Avalos

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09ZF0058: December 20, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING VICTIM BY HITTING HIM IN HEAD AND FACE WITH AXE HANDLE

*Defendant fled the scene in victim’s car and was later arrested for DUI

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison for murdering a victim by hitting him in the head and face with the handle of an axe before fleeing the scene in the victim’s car. Jorge Santiago Avalos, 27, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 18, 2013, of one felony count of second degree murder. A previous jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in April 2012. Continue reading→

Serial O.C. rapist gets 66 years to life in prison

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09CF2979: December 20, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 66 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FIVE FEMALES, INCLUDING RAPING TWO MINORS, AFTER GIVING THEM ALCOHOL

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 66 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting five females, including raping a 14-year-old and 17-year-old girl, after giving them alcohol. Max Danilo Martinez, 33, Corona, was found guilty by a jury Aug. 5, 2013, of three felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, one felony count of rape of an unconscious person, and sentencing enhancement allegations for sexual crimes against multiple victims. Continue reading→

Jury decides serial O.C. child molester should remain committed

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # M-9094: December 18, 2013

JURY DETERMINED SERIAL CHILD MOLESTER SHOULD REMAIN CIVILLY COMMITTED AS SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR

SANTA ANA – A jury determined today that serial child molester Sid Landau, 74, is a continued threat to children and the community and should remain civilly committed as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP).

Under the law, potential SVPs are subject to mental health reviews prior to completion of their criminal sentence. If the People are able to prove that the defendant meets SVP criteria, a petition is filed to have the defendant civilly committed. There are three criteria that must be met; first, the defendant must have committed a sexually violent offense. Second, he must be diagnosed with a mental disorder. Finally, it must be found that he is likely to re-offend unless he is held in custody and treated. Continue reading→

Man gets death penalty for killing UCI student’s father and sister

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, irvine, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 07NF2178: December 16, 2013

JURY RECOMMENDS DEATH PENALTY FOR MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING EX-GIRLFRIEND’S FATHER AND SISTER AND ATTEMPTING TO KILL HER MOTHER

*Two co-defendants were convicted and one was sentenced in this case

SANTA ANA – A jury recommended the death penalty today for a man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s father and sister and attempting to kill her mother. The two murdered victims were set on fire and a third was left in a coma after suffering life-threatening injuries. Iftekhar Murtaza, 29, Van Nuys, was found guilty by the same jury Nov. 22, 2013, of two felony counts of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, the special circumstance sentencing enhancements for multiple murders and murder during the commission of kidnapping. Murtaza is scheduled to be formally sentenced Jan. 10, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

OCDA adopts 149 kids from the Monte Vista Elementary School for the holiday

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: December 13, 2013

OCDA ADOPTS 149 CHILDREN FROM 42 FAMILIES IN 15TH ANNUAL ADOPT-A-FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

SANTA ANA – Children from 42 families will celebrate the holidays this weekend at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) 15th Annual Adopt-A-Family event. The event will be held tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Monte Vista Elementary School in Santa Ana.

OCDA staff, affiliates, friends, and family have adopted 149 children from 42 families, who were identified as needing assistance during this holiday season by school principals from Diamond Elementary School, Monte Vista Elementary School, and staff from the Santa Ana Corbin Family Center. Each child will receive donated gifts and toys and their families will be provided with grocery gift certificates for a holiday dinner. Continue reading→

Man convicted of renting O.C. homes that he didn’t own

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF1450: December 13, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR $3.5 MILLION FRAUDULENT SCHEME OF FALSELY TRANSFERRING DEEDS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to four years in state prison for recording false quitclaim deeds on several residential properties as part of an elaborate scheme to possess and rent out properties valued at over $3.5 million. Blair Christopher Hanloh, 50, Long Beach, was convicted by a jury Oct. 30, 2013, of five felony counts of recording false and forged instruments.

The Court ruled today that Hanloh could not be sentenced to a state prison term due to current prison realignment legislation and sentenced the defendant to serve his state prison sentence in county jail. Continue reading→

Pair murdered a Santa Ana man they followed from the Hawaiian Garden Casino

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2478: December 13, 2013

MAN AND WOMAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING 55-YEAR-OLD MAN AFTER FOLLOWING VICTIM HOME FROM HAWAIIAN GARDEN CASINO

*Third co-defendant in this case was convicted of second degree murder

SANTA ANA – A man and woman pleaded guilty today to murdering a 55-year-old man after following the victim home from Hawaiian Gardens Casino to rob him of $10,000 in gambling winnings. Tad Allen Carroll, 45, formerly of Buena Park, pleaded guilty today to one felony count of first degree murder. Barbara Ann Hamel, 50, Long Beach, pleaded guilty today to second degree murder. Carroll is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison and Hamel is expected to be sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison at their sentencing Feb. 21, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man charged with operating a brothel in Irvine

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13HF3673: December 13, 2013

MAN ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT PIMPING AND PANDERING BY OPERATING BROTHEL IN IRVINE

*Co-defendant charged in this case is a fugitive with a warrant out for her arrest

SANTA ANA – A man was arraigned today on charges of conspiracy to commit pimping and pandering by operating a brothel in Irvine and another in Torrance. Gao Yang Zhou, 34, Rowland Heights, is charged with 12 felony counts including three felony counts each of pimping, pandering, money laundering, and one felony count each of conspiracy to commit pimping, conspiracy to commit general pandering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a sentencing enhancement for money laundering over $50,000. If convicted on all charges, Zhou faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and eight months in state prison. The People requested Zhou be held on $500,000 bail at his arraignment today, and he must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Dec. 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Continue reading→

Former school maintenance painter charged with child porn felonies

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13WF3614: December 13, 2013

FORMER SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PAINTER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR POSSESSING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORN ON INTERNET

WESTMINSTER – A former school maintenance painter is scheduled to be arraigned Monday for possessing child pornography on his computer and distributing it through the Internet. Roger Scott Hewson, 51, Fountain Valley, is charged with one felony count of distributing obscene matter and one felony count of possession and control of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence off three years and eight months in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. He is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

OCDA receives $386K state grant to fight against driving under the influence of drugs

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2013

OCDA RECEIVES $386,060 STATE GRANT TO INCREASE FIGHT AGAINST DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) has received a $386,060 state grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to address the problem of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs in Orange County. This is the fourth OTS grant awarded to OCDA in an effort to improve detection and prosecution of alcohol and drug-related DUI cases. The OTS grant is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Between 2005 and 2012, the OCDA received over $1.3 million in OTS grants to facilitate the prosecution of DUI alcohol and drug cases by allowing deputy district attorneys and clerical support staff to focus exclusively on DUI cases. Continue reading→