New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: ocda

Westminster man to face trial for soliciting the murder of his wife

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0340/13CF1025: March 17, 2014

HUSBAND TO FACE TRIAL FOR 2004 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CONSPIRACY-MURDER BY SOLICITING MURDER OF WIFE

SANTA ANA – A husband will face a jury trial tomorrow for the 2004 solicitation-murder of his wife. Magdi Faiz Girgis, 61, Westminster, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain and murder to prevent testimony. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Irvine man to face trial for raping two women in Irvine and Newport Beach

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine Leave a comment

Picture courtesy of KABC

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF1885: March 17, 2014

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN IRVINE AND NEWPORT BEACH

SANTA ANA – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for the sexual assaults of two women in Irvine and Newport Beach. Travis Dewayne Batten, Jr., 31, Irvine, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, dissuading a witness by force or threat, kidnapping to commit a sex offense, and first degree residential burglary. He also faces sentencing enhancement allegations for committing sexual offenses during the commission of a burglary and tying up or binding a person. If convicted, Batten faces a maximum sentence of 176 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, March 18, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Newport Beach teacher from Santa Ana charged with abusing over 400 snakes

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Newport Beach, OCDA, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF0670: March 14, 2014

SCHOOL TEACHER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AFTER HOARDING AND IMPROPERLY HOUSING OVER 400 SNAKES

SANTA ANA – A Newport Beach elementary school teacher is scheduled to be arraigned Monday for animal abuse after hoarding and improperly housing over 400 snakes. William Frederick Buchman, 53, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of animal abuse by a caretaker. If convicted, Buchman faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. He is out of custody on his own recognizance and is expected to be arraigned Monday, March 17, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Pimp convicted after getting busted by the SAPD

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF1958: March 13, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF PIMPING AND PANDERING WOMAN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP BY UNDERCOVER OFFICERS

*One co-defendant faces trial at a later date. A third co-defendant in the vehicle was sentenced

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of pimping and pandering a woman after being stopped by undercover Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers. Raphael Jared Scally, 27, Hesperia, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of pimping and pandering. Scally faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison at his sentencing April 25, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center. Continue reading→

MADD honors 11 OCDA attorneys for doing a great job of busting drunk drivers

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Courts, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2014

MADD HONORS 11 OCDA ATTORNEYS FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROSECUTION OF DRUNKEN DRIVING CASES

SANTA ANA – The Orange County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored 11 Orange County deputy district attorneys today for their time and effort in prosecuting driving under the influence (DUI) cases in 2013. MADD hosted the 27th Annual Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Luncheon today, March 13, 2014, to honor Orange County prosecutors and police officers for their outstanding contributions to the prosecution of DUI cases. The luncheon was held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda. Continue reading→

Orange resident charged with trying to murder a Dana Point man

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14HF0931: March 11, 2014

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR SHOOTING VICTIM AND EVADING LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH STOLEN VEHICLE

SANTA ANA – A man was charged today with attempted murder for shooting a victim and attempting to flee from law enforcement with a stolen vehicle. Julian St. John, 49, Orange, is charged with two felony counts of attempted murder, two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two felony counts of assault with a firearm, one felony count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, one felony count of attempted false imprisonment by violence or deceit, one felony count of unlawful taking of vehicle, one felony count of evading while driving recklessly with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, personal discharge of a firearm, personal use of a firearm, and great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 52 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Pimp faces trial for trafficking a 14-year-old girl in Garden Grove

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Press Release, For Immediate Release, Case #13WF0628: March 4, 2014

PIMP FACES TRIAL FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN FIRST ORANGE COUNTY PROPOSITION 35 CASE

*Co-defendant prostitute/recruiter has been convicted and sentenced in this case

SANTA ANA – A pimp faces trial today for trafficking a 14-year-old girl into prostitution in the first Orange County case of human trafficking of a minor under Proposition 35 (Prop 35). Chuncey Tarae Garcia, 33, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor by force or fear, pimping a minor, and forcible rape, with sentencing enhancement allegations for forcible rape of a minor 14 years of age and prior prison convictions for possession for sale of cocaine in 2007 and transportation of cocaine in 2009. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 28 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today, Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man sentenced for damaging his hotel room with an explosion and fire

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF3471: February 28, 2014

FIFTH STRIKER SENTENCED TO 33 YEARS TO LIFE FOR CAUSING EXPLOSION THAT STARTED FIRE INSIDE HIS MOTEL ROOM

SANTA ANA – A fifth striker was sentenced today to 33 years to life in state prison for causing an explosion that started a fire inside his motel room. Thanh Van Quang, 39, Fountain Valley, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 30, 2013, of one felony count each of arson of an inhabited property and possession of a flammable material with sentencing enhancements for arson with use of an accelerant. The defendant has four prior strike convictions from 1998 for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and two felony counts of robbery. In addition to his prison sentence, Quang was ordered to pay over $177,000 in restitution. Continue reading→

Meth dealer who killed an Anaheim man who stole his drugs to face trial

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Drugs, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF1289: February 27, 2014

DRUG SUPPLIER TO FACE TRIAL FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOOTING-MURDER AS REVENGE FOR STOLEN DRUGS

SANTA ANA – A drug supplier will face trial today for the special circumstances kidnapping and shooting-murder following a drug deal where his drugs were stolen. Jose Felix Zepeda, 41, Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery, one felony count of kidnapping for ransom, reward, extortion, and to exact from another person money and other valuable things, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime with a sentencing enhancement for possession of a substance to distribute exceeding one kilogram. If convicted, Zepeda faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning, Feb. 27, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Drunken parolee convicted of murdering innocent driver while fleeing police

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09NF1691: February 27, 2014

FLEEING DRUNKEN PAROLEE CONVICTED OF MURDERING INNOCENT DRIVER AND INJURING TWO WHILE RECKLESSLY EVADING POLICE IN HIS TRUCK

WESTMINSTER – A fleeing parolee driving under the influence of alcohol was convicted today of killing an innocent driver and causing great bodily injury to two people while recklessly running from the police. Oscar Javier de la Torre Villalobos, 27, Menifee, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of second degree murder, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of over .08 percent causing bodily injury, and evading the police while driving recklessly and causing serious bodily injury and death. The sentencing enhancement allegations for personally inflicting great bodily injury on non-accomplice victims, driving with a blood alcohol content over .20 percent, and two prior prison convictions of possessing a firearm as a felon and felony domestic violence were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 21 years and four months to life in state prison at his sentencing May 2, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

Woman charged with stabbing-murder of her care home roomie

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA 1 Comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release
Case # TBA

February 25, 2014
WOMAN CHARGED WITH STABBING-MURDER OF CARE HOME ROOMMATE

WESTMINSTER – A woman has been charged with the stabbing-murder of her roommate in a Garden Grove care home. Lucie Wardell, 49, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting Wardell be held on $1 million bail at her arraignment today, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. at the West Justice Center, Westminster. The Department is to be determined. Continue reading→

Driver to be charged for not helping woman who fell from his truck and died

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF0239: February 25, 2014

TRUCK DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR FAILING TO HELP WOMAN AFTER SHE FELL TO HER DEATH FROM HIS MOVING VEHICLE ON FREEWAY

SANTA ANA – A truck driver will be arraigned tomorrow on charges of failing to stop and render aid or call the police after a woman fell to her death from his moving vehicle on the freeway. Jaqwun Laerin Turner, 33, Hawthorne, is charged with one felony count of hit and run causing death and faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted. He is out of custody on $50,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man faces trial after murdering a male friend who asked for sex

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in buena park, Crime, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11NF3721: February 21, 2014

DEFENDANT FACES TRIAL FOR MURDERING MAN AFTER FIGHT OVER SEX

SANTA ANA – A defendant faces trial Monday for murdering a man after a fight over the victim’s attempted initiation of a sexual relationship. Edgar Salvador Lucio, 24, Buena Park, is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Woman convicted for having sex with her son’s 12-year old friend

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 21, 2014

Case # 11WF2588, # 13WF0360

45-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR UNLAWFUL SEX WITH SON’S 12-YEAR-OLD FRIEND

*Defendant also convicted of forging Deputy District Attorney’s name on fake legal letter

SANTA ANA – A 45-year-old woman was sentenced today to six years in state prison and lifetime sex offender registration for having sex with a 12-year-old boy who was friends with her son. Patricia Ann Serrano, 45, Fountain Valley, pleaded guilty Jan. 6, 2014, to three felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 with the sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child. In a separate, related case, the defendant pleaded guilty Jan. 6, 2014, to one felony count of forgery and one misdemeanor count of attempted petty theft and was sentenced today to two years in state prison, to be served concurrent to the six year sexual assault sentence. Continue reading→

Wannabe pastor found guilty of molesting two young male relatives

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, OCDA, Westminster Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09WF1805: February 19, 2014

SELF-APPOINTED PASTOR/BIBLE STUDY LEADER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO YOUNG MALE RELATIVES

WESTMINSTER – A self-appointed pastor who hosted regular “church” meetings and Bible studies in his Westminster home was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting two young male relatives beginning when the victims were 12 years old. James Ray Guerrero, 54, Westminster, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 27, 2013, of eight felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of distributing pornography to a minor, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on more than one child. Continue reading→