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Tag Archives: ocda

O.C. law enforcement will pack and give out thanksgiving turkey dinners to at-risk students on Nov. 16

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Date: November 10, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, Orange County Probation Chief Steve Sentman, Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren, and over 250 law enforcement officers that partner with the OC GRIP Program in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Orange, Santa Ana, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton, and Tustin.

WHAT: Will be packing and awarding 850 Thanksgiving turkey dinners to at-risk students in the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership’s (OC GRIP) 7th Annual Thanksgiving Challenge. Students who improved their attendance, behavior and grades will receive a full Thanksgiving meal to feed a family of 10. This year, District Attorney Rackauckas, Chief Sentman and Pastor Warren will meet with volunteers from Ralph’s/Food 4 Less, Saddleback Church, OCDA, Community Service Programs, community leaders, and law enforcement partners throughout the county who work with students from each of the 50 GRIP schools to pack and distribute the meals. The media is invited to attend both events. Continue reading→

Sixteen homeless O.C. Veterans who passed away this year were honored by Pres. Obama

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pres-obama-honors-veterans

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Date: November 10, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: The Orange County District Attorney Public Administrator’s Office

WHAT: Honored 16 deceased veterans who passed away indigent in 2016. The office of the Public Administrator has unique powers to secure real and personal property until an eligible administrator is appointed. The Public Administrator protects the assets and manages the affairs of deceased residents of Orange County, who at the time of death left no known heirs, no will, no named executor, or an executor who is ineligible. The veterans listed below were issued certificates, signed by President Barack Obama, recognizing them for their service: Continue reading→

Costa Mesa man convicted of killing his girlfriend after listening to a Guns N’ Roses song

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 12ZF0154

Date: November 9, 2016

MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING-MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND DURING CONFRONTATION AFTER LISTENING TO GUNS N’ ROSES SONG

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted today of the shooting-murder of his live-in girlfriend during a confrontation after listening to a Guns N’ Roses song. Thomas Michael Wilhelm, 52, Costa Mesa, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of first-degree murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death was found to be true. He faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on Feb. 3, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-45, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man gets life in prison after shooting and killing a man near the O.C. School of the Arts

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF2681

Date: October 14, 2016

MAN SENTENCED TO 114 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING INTO VEHICLE WHICH KILLED ONE MAN AND INJURED TWO WOMEN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man was sentenced today to 114 years in state prison for shooting into a vehicle which killed a man and injured two women. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 25, was found guilty by a jury on June 14, 2016, of one felony count of first degree murder, two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury.

On Aug. 12, 2014, McDonald arranged to meet with the three victims in Santa Ana for what they thought would be a drug transaction. At approximately 11:30 p.m. that night, the defendant drove up to the victim’s vehicle, just north of the Orange County School of the Arts, in the area of East 12th Street and Main Street, stepped out of his vehicle, and walked around to the front passenger side of the victims’ vehicle while armed with a firearm. The defendant fired approximately 10 shots at the victims, murdering the front passenger, 23-year-old Aaron Chavez. McDonald wounded both the 21-year-old female driver of the vehicle, Ashlee Caldwell, and the 28-year-old female passenger, Ingrid Gonzalez. Continue reading→

The OCDA alleges that two O.C. companies bought fetal tissue from Planned Parenthood and resold it

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dv-biologics

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 12, 2016

STATEMENT BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ON DV BIOLOGICS AND DAVINCI BIOSCIENCES UNLAWFUL SALE OF FETAL TISSUE FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION

SANTA ANA, Calif – “Today, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed a 21-page civil complaint alleging unlawful and unfair business practices against DV Biologics, LLC, DaVinci Biosciences, LLC, Andres Isaias, and Estefano Isaias.

DaVinci Biosciences is jointly owned and operated by Andres Isaias, Luis Isaias and Estefano Isaias. Two of the three owners, Andres Isaias and Luis Isaias, also own and manage DV Biologics. The two companies share the same office space, employees, and management. There is no separate accounting of the financials of the two companies, located in Yorba Linda, and the accounting of revenue and expenses for both companies is 100 percent commingled. The Franchise Tax Board forfeited DaVinci and DV Biologics’ powers, rights, and privileges in July 2015 and November 2014, respectively. Continue reading→

O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy gets probation for misusing the law enforcement database

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OC Sheriff Badge

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CM07158

Date: October 12, 2016

OCSD DEPUTY SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS PROBATION FOR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DATABASE TO VIEW CRIMINAL HISTORIES

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) deputy was sentenced to three years of informal probation today for unauthorized access of a law enforcement database to view criminal histories. Angel Lora Guerrero, 57, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of receiving unauthorized privileged information. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and donate $500 to the Victim Witness Emergency Fund.

At the time of the crimes, Guerrero was employed as an OCSD deputy for approximately 16 years. Continue reading→

Two O.C. companies accused of unlawfully selling fetal tissue and cells

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # TBA

Date: October 12, 2016

OCDA FILES CIVIL SUIT AGAINST SISTER COMPANIES AND THREE FAMILY-MEMBER OWNERS FOR UNLAWFUL SALE OF FETAL TISSUE AND CELLS FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas filed a lawsuit today against two sister companies and three owners for their role in the unlawful sale of fetal tissue and stem cells for valuable consideration. The OCDA filed a Complaint for Violations of unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices in the Superior Court of the State of California in Orange County on Oct. 12, 2016, against DV Biologics, LLC, and DaVinci Biosciences, LLC. The Prayer for Relief in the Complaint seeks for the defendants to cease the sale of fetal tissue and cells, pay restitution to those harmed to be determined at trial, and pay any other civil penalties deemed just and proper.

“This case is not about whether it should be lawful to sell fetal parts or whether fetal tissue research is ethical or legal. We are simply charging DV Biologics, DaVinci Biosciences, and a father and his two sons with illegally selling hundreds of fetal tissue products for profit and treating human parts as commodities instead of giving it the respect the law intended. This lawsuit is aimed at taking the profit out of selling body parts,” stated District Attorney Rackauckas. Continue reading→

Gangbanger will spend 26 years to life in prison after stabbing and killing a family man

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14WF0136

Date: October 7, 2016

MAN SENTENCED TO 26 YEARS TO LIFE PRISON FOR STABBING-MURDER OF STRANGER IN PARKING LOT

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison today for the stabbing-murder of a stranger in a parking lot. Daniel Perez Munoz, 23, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 16, 2016, of one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife.

On Jan. 11, 2014, Perez Munoz was drinking with friends in an apartment parking lot in Stanton. The defendant walked to the parking lot of a nearby business and approached a local family man, 52-year-old Phuong “Bob” Huynh, who was walking to a store. Perez Munoz confronted Huynh and stabbed the victim several times in the neck and chest. The victim took one or two steps before he collapsed and died at the scene from the stab wounds. Perez Munoz fled the scene. Continue reading→

Two OCDA employees honored for partnering with O.C. Probation to stop truancy

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Deputy District Attorney Patti Sanchez, Courtesy of the O.C. Register

Deputy District Attorney Patti Sanchez, Courtesy of the O.C. Register

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 6, 2016

OCDA JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER DDA AND PARALEGAL RECOGNIZED BY OC PROBATION DEPARTMENT CHIEF FOR THEIR WORK ON TRUANCY RESPONSE TEAM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Deputy District Attorney Patti Sanchez and Paralegal Eleni Savvaides were recognized by Orange County Probation Department (OCPD) Chief Steven Sentman for their work on the Truancy Response Team at the Annual Chief’s Award Ceremony. Sanchez and Savvaides are currently assigned to the Juvenile Justice Center and were recognized on Oct. 4, 2016.

DDA Sanchez has represented the OCDA on the Truancy Response Team for over nine years, and Savvaides has served for more than two years. The Truancy Response Team is a collaborative group with representatives from Community Service Programs – Mental Health Provider, FACES Parenting Class, the OCDA, OCPD, Public Defender’s Office, Social Services Agency, and various school districts. The team focuses on at-risk youth who have chronic truancy issues in Orange County schools. Over 25 school districts participate in the Truancy Response Program to provide outreach to students and their families in school and in the home, with emphasis on preventing truancy and addressing chronic truancy using the collaborative court process. Each year, over 2,000 students and their parents receive guidance, instruction, and resources to prevent and address truancy behavior. Continue reading→

OCDA gang investigator recognized for collaborating with the O.C. Probation Dept.

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 5, 2016

OCDA GRIP INVESTIGATOR RECOGNIZED BY OC PROBATION DEPARTMENT CHIEF FOR HIS COLLABORATIVE WORK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Investigator Kevin Ruiz was recognized by Orange County Probation Department Chief Steven Sentman for his collaborative work at the Annual Chief’s Award Ceremony. Investigator Ruiz is currently assigned to the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) and was recognized yesterday, Oct. 4, 2016, as a collaborative partner representing the OCDA.

Investigator Ruiz has been in law enforcement for 40 years, retiring as a corporal in the Santa Ana Police Department Gang Unit before joining the OCDA. Investigator Ruiz trains probation officers on officer safety and search and seizure methodology, and has earned respect from his peers for his dedication and teamwork skills. With OC GRIP, Investigator Ruiz partners with police departments to provide education and recreational opportunities for at-risk students, which then increases school attendance and decreases gang activity. Most of these students had never participated in teams or programs outside of school due to a lack of resources or familial support. OC GRIP also supports students by holding hundreds of parent intervention meetings, faculty presentations and gang prevention education courses prepared and delivered by law enforcement agents. OC GRIP sponsored clubs and camps provide a safe, confidence-building environment for at-risk juveniles across the county. Continue reading→

Woman charged with forcing children to commit lewd acts in front of her

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Brandi Alma Valadez

Brandi Alma Valadez

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Case # 16CF2555

Date: October 6, 2016

WOMAN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN BY FORCING THEM TO COMMIT LEWD ACTS ON EACH OTHER IN FRONT OF HER

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A woman has been charged with sexually abusing children by forcing them to commit lewd acts on each other in front of her. Brandi Alma Valadez, 40, was charged on Oct. 3, 2016 with two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, two felony counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14, and two felony counts of child abuse, with a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims. The defendant has lived in multiple cities. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Valadez is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Nov. 4, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

In August 2014, Valadez, who knew the victims and was in a position of trust, is accused of being aware that John Doe 1, who was under the age of 13, committed lewd acts on Jane Doe, who was under the age of seven, in her residence. The defendant is accused of forcing John Doe 2, who was under the age of 10, and Jane Doe to engage in lewd acts with each other. Valadez is also accused of sexually assaulting Jane Doe. The defendant is accused of abusing Jane Doe and John Doe 2 by willfully inflicting unjustifiable physical pain and mental suffering on the children. Continue reading→

Man convicted of sexually assaulting two underage female relatives in Santa Ana

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Ruben Tajimaroa, a 36-year-old man, was convicted Thursday of sexually assaulting two underage female relatives in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

Tajimaroa was able to dodge ad additional count of sexual intercourse with a child 10 years or younger when the jurors deadlocked 8-4 for guilt, leading the Deputy D.A., Whitney Bokosky, to dismiss that charge. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man gets life in prison after raping and impregnating a preteen girl

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF2460

Date: September 16, 2016

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE FOR FORCIBLY RAPING PRETEEN GIRL RESULTING IN PREGNANCY

*First sexual assault case in Orange County to receive a sentence of life in state prison without parole

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced today to life in state prison without parole for forcibly raping a preteen girl resulting in pregnancy. Demetrio Rojas Perez, 40, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury on June 27, 2016, of four felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 and one felony count of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14. Sentencing enhancement allegations for inflicting bodily harm on a victim under 14 years of age and personally inflicting great bodily injury during the commission of the above offenses were found to be true. For the first time in an Orange County sexual assault case, Perez was sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole, plus 60 years to life in state prison. Continue reading→

O.C. man facing more charges after defrauding over 400 homeowners with a loan mod scheme

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF1377

Date: September 15, 2016

MAN FACING ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR MONEY LAUNDERING AND DERAUDING $2 MILLION FROM OVER 400 TROUBLED HOMEOWNERS THROUGH ILLEGAL LOAN MODIFICATION SCHEME ADVERTISED ON YOUTUBE

*78 New Felony Charges Filed

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was arraigned today on additional charges including money laundering and defrauding over $2.2 million from over 400 troubled homeowners through an illegal loan modification scheme. Kevin Frank Rasher, 44, Coto de Caza, was charged on July 15, 2016, with 52 felony counts of grand theft, one felony count of second degree burglary, and one felony count of aiding false or fraudulent return, with a sentencing enhancement for property damage or loss over $65,000. Rasher was additionally charged today in an amended complaint with 69 felony counts of money laundering, six felony counts of grand theft, and three felony counts of financial exploitation of an elder. Rasher also faces sentencing enhancements for money laundering in excess of $1 million, theft in excess of $1.3 million, and white collar crime taking in excess of $500,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 98 years in state prison. He is being held on $2 million bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 17, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Twenty men have been convicted of trying to hook up with prostitutes in Orange County

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

September 8, 2016

TWENTY MEN CONVICTED OF LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT PROSTITUTION OR AGREEING TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION

*Conviction details of sex purchasers are featured on the OCDA website

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) convicted 20 men in August 2016 of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The defendants in these cases approached a woman whom they believed to be a prostitute, or loitered in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. Each of the defendants below agreed to engage, or loitered with the intent to engage, in commercial sex with a woman and were subsequently arrested by law enforcement.

Defendant/Conviction/Sentence: Continue reading→